A nurse assesses a client with a brain injury. The client opens his eyes when the nurse calls his name, does not understand questions, and brings his arm up in response to a trapezius squeeze by the nurse. How would the nurse document this client's assessment using the Glasgow Coma Scale shown below
8
1
3
9
The Correct Answer is D
The client opens his eyes in response to voice, which scores 3 on the eye-opening part of the GCS.
Since the client does not understand questions, this would likely score 1 for verbal response, indicating incomprehensible sounds.
The motor response of bringing an arm up to a trapezius squeeze is localizing pain, which would score 5.
Therefore, the nurse would document the client's GCS score as E3V1M5, which totals to 9 out of a possible 15 points.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Sedatives would further depress the respiratory muscles, worsening the myasthenic crisis.
B. Instruct the client to perform pursed lip breathing can be helpful for managing dyspnea in other conditions. However, it's not the priority in a myasthenic crisis where respiratory muscles are rapidly weakening.
C. As respiratory muscles weaken in a myasthenic crisis, the patient is at risk for respiratory failure. Preparing for mechanical ventilation is crucial.
D. A vasoconstrictor is used to treat shock, not a myasthenic crisis.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Pupils round, 2mm and constricting to light is a normal pupil response.
B. Decreasing level of consciousness is a critical sign of deteriorating neurological status and requires immediate medical intervention.
C. Temporal headache is a common symptom after head injury but it is not as urgent as a decreasing level of consciousness.
D. Glasgow coma score of 13 indicates a mild to moderate head injury, but it's a static measurement. A decreasing level of consciousness would indicate worsening condition.
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