A nurse is assessing a client who is 1 day postoperative following a lobectomy and has a chest tube drainage system in place. Which of the following findings by the nurse indicates a need for intervention?

Choice A reason: Impaired sense of humor is not a common finding for a client who had a stroke involving the left cerebral hemisphere. Impaired sense of humor is more likely to occur after a stroke involving the right cerebral hemisphere, which is responsible for processing humor, irony, and sarcasm.

Choice B reason: Poor judgment is not a typical finding for a client who had a stroke involving the left cerebral hemisphere. Poor judgment is more likely to occur after a stroke involving the frontal lobe, which is involved in executive functions, such as planning, reasoning, and decision making.

Choice C reason: Intellectual impairment is a possible finding for a client who had a stroke involving the left cerebral hemisphere. The left cerebral hemisphere is dominant for language and analytical thinking in most people. A stroke affecting this hemisphere can impair the ability to speak, read, write, calculate, and comprehend information.

Choice D reason: Loss of depth perception is not a frequent finding for a client who had a stroke involving the left cerebral hemisphere. Loss of depth perception is more likely to occur after a stroke involving the occipital lobe, which is involved in visual processing, or the parietal lobe, which is involved in spatial awareness.

Choice A reason: Using log rolling to reposition the client is not advisable for a client who has increased ICP. Log rolling is a technique that involves moving the client as a unit, without flexing the spine, to prevent spinal cord injury. However, log rolling can also increase ICP by reducing venous drainage from the head and increasing cerebral blood volume. Therefore, the nurse should avoid log rolling the client unless there is a suspected spinal injury.

Choice B reason: Instructing the client to cough and breathe deep is not appropriate for a client who has increased ICP. Coughing and deep breathing can increase intrathoracic pressure, which can reduce venous return to the heart and increase ICP. Additionally, coughing and deep breathing can cause hyperventilation, which can lower the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood and cause cerebral vasoconstriction. This can reduce cerebral perfusion and oxygen delivery to the brain.

Choice C reason: Placing a warming blanket on the client is not recommended for a client who has increased ICP. A warming blanket can increase the body temperature, which can increase the metabolic rate and oxygen demand of the brain. This can worsen cerebral ischemia and edema. Moreover, a warming blanket can cause vasodilation, which can increase cerebral blood volume and ICP. Therefore, the nurse should maintain a normal body temperature for the client and avoid hyperthermia.

Choice D reason: Placing the client in a supine position is the best action for the nurse to take for a client who has increased ICP. The supine position is a way of lying on a table with the back, face, and abdomen facing upwards. It is used for various surgeries and examinations, such as cranial, cardiac, abdominal, and thoracic surgery. It can also prevent respiratory, skin, and circulatory problems. The supine position can help lower ICP by facilitating venous drainage from the head and reducing cerebral blood volume [^10^]. However, the nurse should also elevate the head of the bed to 30 degrees to optimize cerebral perfusion pressure and avoid neck flexion or rotation, which can impair venous drainage.