The nurse is performing an assessment on a client. How would the nurse best evaluate improvement or deterioration in the neurologic status?
Performing a mini mental status exam at admission and discharge
Performing serial Glasgow Coma Scale exams during hospitalization
Assessing pupils for reactivity, equality, symmetry and accommodation
Obtaining vital signs every four hours while hospitalized
The Correct Answer is B
A. Mini mental status exam at admission and discharge
Useful for cognitive function but not for acute changes.
B. Performing serial Glasgow Coma Scale exams
The GCS is the best tool for tracking changes in neurologic status over time.
C. Assessing pupils for reactivity, equality, symmetry, and accommodation
Important but not comprehensive.
D. Obtaining vital signs every four hours
Useful but does not specifically assess neurologic function.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Decrease chest pain is important but not the highest priority. Managing pain can help with breathing, but oxygenation is the primary concern.
B. Reduce the client's anxiety is secondary to physiological needs. Anxiety can worsen dyspnea, but addressing oxygenation first is more critical.
C. Maintain adequate circulating volume is a priority if there is hemorrhage, but the question does not indicate bleeding. Oxygenation takes precedence in this case.
D. Maintain adequate oxygenation is the priority. Chest trauma can lead to pneumothorax, pulmonary contusion, or other complications that can impair gas exchange. Ensuring adequate oxygenation prevents hypoxia and respiratory failure, which are life-threatening.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Vocalization, strength, and pupillary response and accommodation are not components of GCS. Strength testing is part of a motor exam, and pupillary response is part of a cranial nerve assessment.
B. Eye opening, verbal response, and motor response are the three components of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), which assesses a client’s neurological status and level of consciousness.
C. Pupillary reaction, eye opening, and motor response is incorrect because pupillary reaction is not a component of the GCS.
D. Motor response, sensory response, and level of consciousness is incorrect because sensory response is not a part of the GCS.
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