A nurse is reviewing the trend of a client’s scores on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). This provides what potential information to the nurse about the client’s status?
An in-depth and real-time neurological assessment of the client’s condition
The client’s level of knowledge about preceding events
An assessment of the client’s current level of consciousness
An assessment of the client’s lowest verbal and physical response to stimuli
The Correct Answer is C
Reasoning:
Choice A reason: The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) provides a standardized score for consciousness, not an in-depth neurological assessment. It evaluates eye, verbal, and motor responses but does not detail specific neurological deficits like cranial nerve function, requiring additional tests for a comprehensive neurological evaluation.
Choice B reason: The GCS does not assess knowledge of preceding events, which relates to memory or orientation, not consciousness. Amnesia or cognitive deficits are evaluated separately. The GCS focuses on immediate responses to stimuli, providing a snapshot of consciousness, not historical knowledge.
Choice C reason: The GCS assesses the client’s current level of consciousness by scoring eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. Trending scores over time indicates changes in consciousness, reflecting neurological status in conditions like head injury, guiding interventions and prognosis in critical care settings.
Choice D reason: The GCS does not measure the “lowest” verbal and physical response but the best response to stimuli at the time of assessment. It quantifies consciousness, not minimal function. Scores reflect current neurological status, not the worst possible responses, making this inaccurate.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Reasoning:
Choice A reason: Difficulty falling asleep is not a specific symptom of iron deficiency anemia. While fatigue is common, it affects energy levels, not sleep onset. Insomnia may result from other causes like anxiety or neurological conditions, not the reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of iron deficiency anemia.
Choice B reason: Difficulty breathing when walking 30 feet, or exertional dyspnea, is a hallmark of iron deficiency anemia. Low hemoglobin reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, causing shortness of breath during activity as the body struggles to meet oxygen demands, making this a key subjective symptom.
Choice C reason: Increased appetite is not typical in iron deficiency anemia. Some patients experience pica, craving non-food items, but not increased food appetite. Anemia causes fatigue and weakness, not hunger, which is more associated with metabolic or endocrine disorders, not iron deficiency.
Choice D reason: Feeling hot all the time is not a symptom of iron deficiency anemia. Patients often feel cold due to reduced oxygen delivery impairing thermoregulation. Feeling hot suggests hyperthyroidism or infection, not the hypoxic or circulatory issues characteristic of iron deficiency anemia.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Reasoning:
Choice A reason: A blood pressure reading of 120/85 mm Hg is normal but not specific to SIADH. While fluid overload in SIADH may elevate blood pressure, this reading is not diagnostic. Hypertension is possible but not a consistent finding, as fluid retention primarily causes hyponatremia and other symptoms.
Choice B reason: Pitting edema in the lower extremities is uncommon in SIADH, as fluid retention is primarily intravascular, leading to dilutional hyponatremia rather than extravascular edema. Edema is more typical in conditions like heart failure or nephrotic syndrome, not the water retention mechanism of SIADH.
Choice C reason: Normal skin turgor is not typical in SIADH, as water retention can cause slight fluid overload, potentially leading to subtle tissue swelling. While not as pronounced as edema, skin turgor may be slightly increased due to excess fluid, making “normal” less accurate than moist mucous membranes.
Choice D reason: Moist mucous membranes are expected in SIADH due to excessive water retention from ADH overactivity. This leads to fluid overload, keeping mucosal tissues hydrated and moist, unlike the dehydration seen in diabetes insipidus, which causes dry mucous membranes due to water loss.
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