A patient has a folic acid deficiency associated with not consuming food with folic acid. The nurse would expect a complete blood cell count (CBC) to reveal?

Choice A reason: Assessing the patient for potential visual deficits is not the primary purpose of evaluating pupillary response. Visual deficits may result from damage to the optic nerve or the occipital lobe, but they are not directly related to pupillary response.

Choice B reason: Assessing the patient's level of consciousness is an important part of the neurological assessment, but it is not done by evaluating pupillary response alone. Level of consciousness is determined by observing the patient's responsiveness to verbal and physical stimuli, as well as their orientation to person, place, time, and situation.

Choice C reason: Assessing the patient for increased intracranial pressure is the best explanation for evaluating pupillary response. Increased intracranial pressure is a life-threatening condition that can result from brain swelling, bleeding, or infection. It can cause compression of the brainstem and the cranial nerves, leading to changes in pupillary size, shape, and reactivity. Pupillary response is a sensitive indicator of intracranial pressure and brainstem function.

Choice D reason: Assessing the patient for cerebrospinal fluid leakage is not the main reason for evaluating pupillary response. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage can occur after a craniotomy due to a tear in the dura mater, the membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord. It can cause symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, and meningitis. However, it does not affect pupillary response unless it causes increased intracranial pressure.

Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Polyphasia and nystagmus are not signs of neurological deterioration, but rather of speech and eye disorders. Polyphasia is the excessive use of words or speech, and nystagmus is the involuntary movement of the eyes.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Increased respiratory rate and depth are not signs of neurological deterioration, but rather of respiratory distress or hyperventilation. They may indicate a problem with the lungs or the blood gases, not the brain.

Choice C reason: This is correct. Decreased level of consciousness and difficulty arousing upon stimulation are signs of neurological deterioration, as they indicate a decrease in the brain's ability to function and respond to stimuli. They may be caused by increased intracranial pressure, bleeding, swelling, or infection in the brain.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Decreased pulse pressure and pupils slowly reactive and round to light are not signs of neurological deterioration, but rather of cardiovascular or autonomic dysfunction. They may indicate a problem with the heart or the blood pressure, not the brain.