The critical care nurse is giving end-of-shift report on a client.
The nurse uses the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) to assess the level of consciousness (LOC) of a female client and reports to the oncoming nurse that the client has an LOC of 6. What does an LOC score of 6 in a client indicate?

Choice A rationale

Necrosis is tissue death resulting from prolonged pressure, often a consequence rather than the direct cause of pressure ulcers. The primary cause is sustained pressure impairing blood flow.

Choice B rationale

Low capillary pressure does not directly cause pressure ulcers. They result from sustained external pressure exceeding capillary perfusion pressure, leading to ischemia and tissue damage.

Choice C rationale

Increased mobility actually prevents pressure ulcers by reducing sustained pressure on any one area, enhancing blood flow and tissue health. Immobility is a significant risk factor, not increased mobility.

Choice D rationale

Extrinsic factors like sustained pressure, friction, shear, and moisture contribute directly to pressure ulcer development by compromising skin integrity and blood flow, leading to tissue ischemia and damage.

Choice A rationale

Damage to Broca's area of the left frontal lobe does not typically affect balance. Balance is more associated with the cerebellum and inner ear structures.

Choice B rationale

Hearing is processed primarily in the temporal lobe, not in Broca's area of the frontal lobe. Damage to Broca's area does not typically impact hearing.

Choice C rationale

Broca's area is responsible for speech production and language processing. Damage to this area can result in Broca's aphasia, characterized by difficulty in speaking and writing but with relatively preserved comprehension.

Choice D rationale

Vision is primarily processed in the occipital lobe. Damage to Broca's area does not affect vision.