A nurse is caring for a client who had a stroke involving the right cerebral hemisphere. The nurse should monitor for which of the following findings?

Choice A reason: Flexing the upper and extending the lower extremities in response to the painful stimulus is not an expected response for a client who has a traumatic head injury. This is a sign of decorticate posturing, which indicates damage to the cerebral hemispheres or the internal capsule. Decorticate posturing is a type of abnormal flexion that involves the abduction of the arms, internal rotation of the shoulders, flexion of the wrists, and extension of the legs.

Choice B reason: Pushing the painful stimulus away is not an expected response for a client who has a traumatic head injury. This is a sign of normal motor function, which indicates that the client can localize and withdraw from the painful stimulus. This is the highest level of motor response on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), which is a neurological scoring system used to assess conscious level after head injury.

Choice C reason: Extending the body toward the painful stimulus is an expected response for a client who has a traumatic head injury. This is a sign of decerebrate posturing, which indicates damage to the brainstem or midbrain. Decerebrate posturing is a type of abnormal extension that involves the abduction of the arms, external rotation of the shoulders, extension of the wrists, and extension of the legs.

Choice D reason: Showing no reaction to the painful stimulus is not an expected response for a client who has a traumatic head injury. This is a sign of flaccid paralysis, which indicates damage to the spinal cord or peripheral nerves. Flaccid paralysis is a type of complete loss of muscle tone and reflexes that involves the absence of any voluntary or involuntary movements.

Choice A reason: History of hypertension is not a nonmodifiable risk factor for developing a stroke, but a modifiable risk factor. Hypertension is a high blood pressure, defined as 140/90 mm Hg or higher. Hypertension can damage the blood vessels and increase the risk of stroke by causing atherosclerosis, aneurysm, or hemorrhage. The nurse should teach the clients to monitor their blood pressure and take medications as prescribed to lower their blood pressure and reduce their stroke risk.

Choice B reason: Genetics is a nonmodifiable risk factor for developing a stroke. Genetics refers to the inherited traits that are passed down from parents to children. Genetics can influence the risk of stroke by affecting the susceptibility to certain conditions, such as sickle cell disease, clotting disorders, or familial hypercholesterolemia, that can increase the risk of stroke. The nurse should teach the clients to know their family history and discuss their genetic risk factors with their provider.

Choice C reason: Obesity is not a nonmodifiable risk factor for developing a stroke, but a modifiable risk factor. Obesity is a condition of having excess body fat, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Obesity can increase the risk of stroke by contributing to other risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol. The nurse should teach the clients to maintain a healthy weight and follow a balanced diet and exercise regimen to lower their stroke risk.

Choice D reason: History of smoking is not a nonmodifiable risk factor for developing a stroke, but a modifiable risk factor. Smoking is the inhalation of tobacco or other substances that contain nicotine or other harmful chemicals. Smoking can increase the risk of stroke by damaging the blood vessels, increasing the blood pressure, reducing the oxygen in the blood, and promoting blood clotting. The nurse should teach the clients to quit smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke to lower their stroke risk.