Which of the following is a common sign or symptom of a lumbar herniated disc?

A. A blood pressure cuff is not directly needed to assess neurological status. While blood pressure is important to monitor in neurological assessments, it is not the primary tool used for assessing neurological function.

B. A pen light is essential for assessing pupil reaction, which is a key part of a neurological exam. The nurse can use the pen light to check for pupil dilation, constriction, and reaction to light, which are important indicators of brain function.

C. A thermometer is useful for measuring body temperature but is not a primary tool for assessing neurological status. Although fever can be a sign of infection affecting the brain, it is not part of the basic neurological exam.

D. A stethoscope is useful for listening to heart and lung sounds, but it is not typically used for assessing neurological function. The pen light is the more appropriate tool for this purpose.

A. Emotional lability (rapid mood swings) can occur with brain injuries, but it is more commonly associated with damage to the frontal lobe, not the brainstem.

B. Personality changes are also more likely to result from damage to the frontal lobe or other areas of the brain responsible for behavior and personality, not the brainstem.

C. Diabetes insipidus can result from brain injury, particularly damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, but it is not a direct consequence of brainstem injury.

D. Unstable vital signs are a common result of damage to the brainstem, which is responsible for regulating autonomic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. Damage to the brainstem can lead to life-threatening instability in these vital functions.