A nurse is receiving a transfer report for a client who has a head injury. The client has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 3 for eye opening, 5 for best verbal response, and 5 for best motor response. Which of the following is an appropriate conclusion based on this data?
The client is unconscious.
The client is unable to make vocal sound.
The client can follow simple motor commands.
The client opens his eyes when spoken to.
The Correct Answer is D
An appropriate conclusion based on this data is that the client opens his eyes when spoken to. A GCS score of 3 for eye opening indicates that the client opens his eyes in response to voice.
The client is not unconscious, as a GCS score of 3 for eye opening indicates that the client is able to open his eyes in response to voice. The client is not unable to make vocal sound, as a GCS score of 5 for best verbal response indicates that the client is able to make vocal sounds. The client may or may not be able to follow simple motor commands, as a GCS score of 5 for best motor response indicates that the client is able to localize pain.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The nurse should monitor the client for lethargy as a manifestation of increased intracranial pressure. Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is a rise in pressure around the brain that can occur due to various reasons such as brain injury, bleeding into the brain, swelling in the brain, or an increase in cerebrospinal fluid. Lethargy (feeling less alert than usual) is a common symptom of increased ICP.
a. Nuchal rigidity is not a common symptom of increased ICP.
b. Batle's sign is not a common symptom of increased ICP.
c. Polyuria is not a common symptom of increased ICP.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The nurse should use the term "postictal phase" when documenting the client's difficulty arousing and sleepiness for several hours following a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. The postictal phase is the period of time immediately following a seizure during which the client may be difficult to arouse and very sleepy.
Presence of absence seizures, presence of automatisms, and aura phase are not appropriate descriptions for the nurse to use when documenting this finding in the medical record. Absence seizures are a type of seizure characterized by brief episodes of staring and unresponsiveness. Automatisms are repetitive, unconscious movements that can occur during a seizure. The aura phase is a warning sign that can occur before a seizure.
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