In assessing a client's level of consciousness, what should the nurse assess first?

Motor responses.

Eye opening.

Verbal response

Level of alertness.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

a. "Motor responses." Motor responses are important in assessing neurological function, but they are typically assessed after determining the client's overall level of consciousness and alertness. Motor responses are usually assessed when the client is unresponsive or has altered consciousness.

b. "Eye opening." Eye opening is part of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and is an important indicator of neurological function. However, it is generally assessed after determining the client's level of alertness.

c. "Verbal response." Verbal response is another component of the GCS, assessing how the client responds to verbal stimuli. This assessment also follows the initial determination of the client’s alertness.

d. "Level of alertness." The level of alertness is the first and most fundamental aspect to assess because it gives the nurse a baseline understanding of how aware the client is of their surroundings. This assessment sets the stage for further evaluation of motor, eye, and verbal responses. It helps determine the client's ability to interact and respond to stimuli, guiding subsequent assessments.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A Reason:
Giving the client an object to hold is not the most appropriate action before asking the client to flex his arms to assess muscle strength. While providing an object to hold may engage the muscles, it does not specifically target the muscles involved in arm flexion, which are primarily the biceps brachii and brachialis muscles. Therefore, it may not accurately assess muscle strength during arm flexion.
Choice B Reason:
Instructing the client to close his eyes is not the most appropriate action before asking the client to flex his arms to assess muscle strength. Instructing the client to close his eyes primarily tests proprioception and balance rather than muscle strength. While proprioception is an important aspect of overall neurological function, it is not directly related to assessing muscle strength during arm flexion.
Choice C Reason:
Applying resistance to the client's arms is the most appropriate action before asking the client to flex his arms to assess muscle strength. Applying resistance to the client's arms during flexion allows the nurse to evaluate the client's ability to generate force against resistance, providing a more accurate assessment of muscle strength in the biceps brachii and brachialis muscles.
Choice D Reason:
Palpating the client's muscle tone is not the most appropriate action before asking the client to flex his arms to assess muscle strength. While palpating muscle tone is important for assessing muscle integrity, it does not directly evaluate muscle strength during arm flexion. Muscle tone refers to the resting tension in a muscle and may not accurately reflect muscle strength during active movement.

A. Stand directly in front of the client and ask about any hearing loss. B. Obtain a tuning fork to complete Rinne and Weber tuning fork tests. C. Begin to orient the client to her surroundings in the hospital room. D. Perform a mental status exam to assess the client's thought processes.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason:
Standing directly in front of the client and ask about any hearing loss is appropriate because the client's behavior of ignoring questions from the nurse and speaking loudly to her son suggests a potential hearing impairment. Standing directly in front of the client allows for better visibility of facial expressions and lip movements, which can aid in communication for individuals with hearing loss. Asking about any hearing loss helps the nurse gather important information to adapt communication strategies effectively.
Choice B Reason:
Obtaining a tuning fork to complete Rinne and Weber tuning fork tests involves conducting hearing tests using a tuning fork to assess for conductive or sensorineural hearing loss. While these tests are valuable for diagnosing hearing impairments, they are typically performed after obtaining a thorough history and initial assessment, including asking about any hearing loss. Therefore, this option is not the first action to take when communication difficulties are observed.
Choice C Reason:
Beginning to orient the client to her surroundings in the hospital room involves providing orientation to the client about her surroundings, which is important for promoting comfort and reducing anxiety, especially in a new environment like a hospital room. However, addressing potential hearing loss is the priority when the client's behavior suggests difficulty in communication. Once hearing impairment is ruled out or addressed, orientation to the surroundings can be initiated.
Choice D Reason:
Performing a mental status exam to assess the client's thought processes involves assessing the client's cognitive function and thought processes, which is important for understanding the client's overall mental status. While assessing mental status is an essential aspect of comprehensive nursing assessment, it may not directly address the observed communication difficulties related to potential hearing impairment. Therefore, addressing potential hearing loss should be the first action to ensure effective communication before proceeding with a mental status exam.

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In assessing a client's level of consciousness, what should the nurse assess first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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Correct Answer is A

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