A nurse is assessing the level of consciousness of a patient who sustained a head injury in a motor vehicle accident. The nurse notes that the patient appears drowsy most of the time but makes spontaneous movements. The nurse is able to wake the patient by gently shaking him and calling his name.

What level of consciousness would the nurse document?

Comatose

Awake and alert

Lethargic

Stuporous

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Comatose:

Coma refers to a state of deep unconsciousness where the individual is unresponsive to stimuli, including pain or external stimulation. In the scenario described, the patient is not comatose because they can be awakened by gentle shaking and calling their name.

B. Awake and alert:

This term describes a state of full alertness and responsiveness to the environment. The patient in the scenario is not fully awake and alert since they appear drowsy most of the time and require external stimuli to be awakened.

C. Lethargic:

Lethargy is characterized by drowsiness, reduced alertness, and a sluggish response to stimuli. In the scenario, the patient is described as drowsy most of the time but can be awakened by gentle shaking and calling their name. This aligns with the characteristics of lethargy.

D. Stuporous:

Stupor is a state of reduced responsiveness where the individual can be aroused only by vigorous or painful stimuli. The patient in the scenario does not fit the criteria for stupor as they can be awakened by gentle shaking and calling their name.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Assess the pedal pulses with a Doppler device:

Assessing the pedal pulses with a Doppler device may be useful in certain situations, but when the radial pulse is irregular, it's more important to assess the central (apical) pulse to get a more accurate representation of the heart's rhythm.

B. Assess the apical pulse with a Doppler device:

While using a Doppler device on the apical pulse is an option, it's generally not the first choice when assessing irregular pulses. The apical pulse can often be palpated manually, and it's more practical to assess it directly for irregularities.

C. Assess the apical pulse for a full minute:

This is the recommended action when the radial pulse is irregular. By assessing the apical pulse for a full minute, the nurse can accurately determine the heart rate and identify any irregularities in rhythm, providing a comprehensive assessment of the cardiac status.

D. Assess the pedal pulses for a full minute:

While assessing the pedal pulses is important in certain situations, it may not be the priority when dealing with an irregular radial pulse. Assessing the apical pulse for a full minute gives a more direct and accurate reflection of the heart's rhythm.

A. Assess the client B. Notify the nurse manager C. Complete an incident report D. Call the client’s provider

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Assess the client.

This is the immediate priority. The nurse should assess the patient's current condition to determine the extent of the impact of the error on the patient's health, focusing on respiratory status, vital signs, and signs of fluid overload.

B. Notify the nurse manager.

Once the patient has been assessed and stabilized, the nurse should inform the nurse manager or supervisor about the error. This helps ensure appropriate reporting, investigation, and follow-up actions.

C. Complete an incident report.

After assessing and stabilizing the patient, the nurse should document the error in an incident report. Incident reports are important for organizational learning, identifying patterns, and implementing improvements to prevent future errors.

D. Call the client’s provider.

If the patient's condition is deteriorating or requires immediate attention, the nurse should contact the healthcare provider to discuss the situation, report the error, and collaborate on necessary interventions.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is assessing a client’s radial pulse and determines that the pulse is irregular. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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