In assessing a client's level of consciousness, what should the nurse assess first?

Motor responses.

Eye opening.

Verbal response

Level of alertness.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

a. "Motor responses." Motor responses are important in assessing neurological function, but they are typically assessed after determining the client's overall level of consciousness and alertness. Motor responses are usually assessed when the client is unresponsive or has altered consciousness.

b. "Eye opening." Eye opening is part of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and is an important indicator of neurological function. However, it is generally assessed after determining the client's level of alertness.

c. "Verbal response." Verbal response is another component of the GCS, assessing how the client responds to verbal stimuli. This assessment also follows the initial determination of the client’s alertness.

d. "Level of alertness." The level of alertness is the first and most fundamental aspect to assess because it gives the nurse a baseline understanding of how aware the client is of their surroundings. This assessment sets the stage for further evaluation of motor, eye, and verbal responses. It helps determine the client's ability to interact and respond to stimuli, guiding subsequent assessments.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A Reason:
Listening while the client reads items listed on the menu is inappropriate. This approach involves assessing the client's speech while they read items listed on the menu. While reading aloud can provide some insight into speech patterns, it may not fully capture spontaneous speech or natural conversation. Additionally, reading may not necessarily assess other aspects of speech such as articulation, fluency, or coherence. Therefore, while this approach can offer some information, it may not be as comprehensive as observing speech during a natural conversation or interview.
Choice B Reason:
Asking the client to complete a common proverb or saying is inappropriate. Asking the client to complete a common proverb or saying is a task that assesses language comprehension and expression. While this approach may provide some insight into the client's ability to formulate and articulate speech, it may not fully capture spontaneous speech patterns or natural conversation. Additionally, completing proverbs or sayings may require specific cultural knowledge or cognitive abilities that could influence the assessment. Therefore, while this approach can be useful in certain contexts, it may not be as comprehensive as observing speech during a natural conversation or interview.
Choice C Reason:
Noting the client's responses during the initial interview is appropriate. Option C involves observing the client's speech patterns during the initial interview, which provides the nurse with an opportunity to assess spontaneous speech, articulation, fluency, and coherence. During the initial interview, the nurse can assess the client's ability to express thoughts, respond to questions, and engage in conversation, which can reveal any abnormalities or difficulties in speech patterns. This approach allows for a comprehensive assessment of speech without requiring specific tasks or prompts that may be more challenging or unfamiliar to the client.
Choice D Reason:
Having the client repeat a phrase containing alliteration is inappropriate. Asking the client to repeat a phrase containing alliteration is a task that assesses speech articulation and phonological skills. While this approach may provide some information about the client's ability to produce specific sounds or syllables, it may not fully capture spontaneous speech patterns or natural conversation. Additionally, repeating phrases with alliteration may not necessarily assess other aspects of speech such as fluency, coherence, or language comprehension. Therefore, while this approach can be useful for assessing specific speech skills, it may not be as comprehensive as observing speech during a natural conversation or interview.

A. Send the sample for laboratory evaluation. B. Give the client 8 ounces (236.5 mL) of water to drink. C. Evaluate the client for bladder distention. D. Instruct the client to attempt to urinate again.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A Reason:
Sending the sample for laboratory evaluation is incorrect. Sending the urine sample for laboratory evaluation is a standard procedure to assess for any abnormalities, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney function, or other urinary tract disorders. While laboratory evaluation of the urine sample is important for diagnostic purposes, the client's difficulty providing an adequate urine sample suggests an underlying issue that needs to be addressed before obtaining a sample.
Choice B Reason:
Giving the client 8 ounces (236.5 mL) of water to drink is incorrect. Offering the client water to drink is a common intervention to encourage urine production and facilitate urine sample collection, particularly if the client is dehydrated or has difficulty producing a sample. However, given the client's symptoms of lower abdominal discomfort, frequent urination, and difficulty providing a urine sample despite efforts, simply offering water may not adequately address the underlying issue of potential bladder distention.
Choice C Reason:
Evaluating the client for bladder distention is correct. The client's symptoms of lower abdominal discomfort, frequent urination, and difficulty providing a urine sample after an extended period of time, along with returning with only a few drops of urine, are suggestive of potential bladder distention. Evaluating the client for bladder distention involves assessing for signs such as a visibly enlarged and palpable bladder, suprapubic discomfort or pain, and percussion of the bladder to assess for dullness, indicating fluid accumulation. Addressing bladder distention is essential to ensure the client's comfort and prevent complications associated with urinary retention.
Choice D Reason:
Instructing the client to attempt to urinate again is incorrect. Instructing the client to attempt to urinate again may be a reasonable intervention if the bladder is not distended and the client is simply having difficulty producing a urine sample. However, given the client's symptoms and the difficulty providing an adequate urine sample despite previous attempts, simply instructing the client to try again may not address the underlying issue of potential bladder distention. Evaluating for bladder distention is necessary to determine the appropriate course of action and ensure the client's comfort and safety.

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In assessing a client's level of consciousness, what should the nurse assess first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

During an admission assessment, which approach should the nurse use to assess a client's speech patterns?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

An older adult male arrives at the healthcare center with lower abdominal discomfort and frequent urination. The nurse asks the client to provide a urine sample. After an extended period of time, the client returns with only a few drops of urine. Which action should the nurse implement?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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