A patient is stuporous but reacts by withdrawing from painful stimuli. Which term is most appropriate for this patient?

Semicomatose

Somnolent

Lethargic

Comatose

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Semicomatose:

This term suggests a state between consciousness and coma. A patient who is semicomatose may exhibit some level of responsiveness but is typically unresponsive or only responds to intense stimuli.

B. Somnolent:

Somnolence refers to a state of drowsiness or sleepiness. A somnolent patient may appear sleepy, have difficulty staying awake, and may be slow to respond to stimuli. However, the withdrawal from painful stimuli described in the scenario suggests a higher level of responsiveness than what would typically be expected in a somnolent state.

C. Lethargic:

Lethargy describes a state of reduced alertness or responsiveness. A lethargic patient may appear drowsy, sluggish, and have diminished responses to stimuli. The description of the patient as stuporous (having a decreased level of consciousness) but still reacting by withdrawing from painful stimuli aligns with the characteristics of lethargy.

D. Comatose:

Coma refers to a state of profound unconsciousness where the patient is unresponsive to all stimuli, including painful stimuli. A comatose patient does not demonstrate any purposeful movement or response to stimuli. Since the patient in the scenario exhibits some response to painful stimuli by withdrawing, they do not meet the criteria for being comatose.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. The client should maintain systolic BP between 120 and 129 mm Hg.

This is an appropriate recommendation. The American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines recommend maintaining systolic BP below 130 mm Hg to reduce the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular events in individuals with a history of stroke or TIA.

B. The client should maintain systolic BP between 130 and 135 mm Hg.

This is slightly above the recommended range. While systolic BP below 135 mm Hg is generally recommended for individuals with a history of stroke or TIA, a range of 130-135 mm Hg may still be acceptable based on individual patient factors and risk assessments.

C. The client should maintain systolic BP between 136 and 140 mm Hg.

This is above the recommended range. Systolic BP between 136 and 140 mm Hg may be considered elevated and should be managed to lower levels to reduce the risk of recurrent TIA or stroke.

D. The client should maintain systolic BP between 141 and 145 mm Hg.

This is above the recommended range. Systolic BP above 140 mm Hg is generally considered elevated and should be managed to lower levels to reduce the risk of recurrent TIA or stroke.

A. Aura phase B. Presence of automatisms C. Postictal phase D. Presence of absence seizures

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Aura phase:

The aura phase occurs before the seizure and is characterized by subjective sensations or experiences that some individuals may have. It serves as a warning sign that a seizure is about to occur. This phase precedes the seizure itself and is not applicable to the period immediately afterward.

B. Presence of automatisms:

Automatisms refer to repetitive, involuntary movements or actions that some individuals may exhibit during certain types of seizures, such as complex partial seizures. They are not typically observed during the postictal phase of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure.

C. Postictal phase:

The postictal phase, also known as the postictal state, refers to the period following a seizure during which the individual may experience confusion, drowsiness, or other altered states of consciousness. This phase typically lasts for minutes to hours and is characterized by gradual recovery of normal function.

D. Presence of absence seizures:

Absence seizures are characterized by brief episodes of altered consciousness, often manifesting as staring spells or momentary loss of awareness. They are distinct from generalized tonic-clonic seizures and do not involve the same postictal phase characterized by drowsiness and altered arousal.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A patient is stuporous but reacts by withdrawing from painful stimuli. Which term is most appropriate for this patient?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is providing discharge instruction to a client who has hypertension that has resulted in a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Which of the following information should the nurse discuss with the client regarding blood pressure (BP) management?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who is difficult to arouse and very sleepy for several hours following a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Which of the following descriptions should the nurse use when documenting this finding in the medical record?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching to a client who has epilepsy. Which of the following instructions should be included in the teaching?

An acute care nurse is caring for an adult client who is undergoing evaluation for a possible brain tumor. While performing a neurological examination, which of following findings is the earliest indicator of the client's cerebral status?

A nurse is preparing to administer valproic acid 500 mg PO. Available is valproic acid oral solution 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for phenytoin. The nurse should recognize that which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

A nurse is modifying the diet of a client who has Parkinson's disease and a prescription for selegiline, a monamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Which of the following foods should the nurse eliminate from the client's diet?

Which reason explains why a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is uniquely prone to depression?

A nurse is collecting data from a client who has increased intracranial pressure and is informed by the charge nurse that the client demonstrates decorticate posturing. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect to observe?

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is taking benztropine to treat Parkinson's disease. The nurse should instruct the client to report which of the following findings as an adverse effect of the medication?