In the Neuro ICU (intensive care unit) while performing a neurological assessment of the patient the nurse noticed the patient: patient opens eyes, looks at you, responds slowly, and is somewhat confused. What level of consciousness (LOC) is this patient presenting?

Coma

Stupor

Lethargy

Obtunded

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A.   Coma is a state of profound unconsciousness where the patient cannot be awakened and does not respond to any external stimuli. The patient is completely unresponsive, with no eye opening or verbal responses.
B.   Stupor is a state where the patient is almost completely unresponsive and can only be awakened by vigorous or painful stimuli. When aroused, they may only give brief, non-purposeful responses.
C.   Lethargy is characterized by drowsiness and decreased alertness. The patient may fall asleep easily but can be awakened and will respond appropriately to stimuli. They might appear sluggish or tired.
D.   Obtunded refers to a state where the patient has a reduced level of consciousness and responsiveness. They may be difficult to arouse, respond slowly to stimuli, and have a dulled sense of awareness. They need increased stimulation to achieve a response.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

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

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Perseveration refers to the repetition of a particular response or behavior despite the cessation of the stimulus that prompted it. This often occurs in individuals with neurological disorders, where they keep repeating the same word, phrase, or action.
B. Flight of ideas is a rapid flow of thoughts where the person moves quickly from one topic to another, often with tangential or disconnected ideas. It is commonly observed in conditions such as mania or hypomania.
C. Derailment, also known as loosening of associations, is a thought disorder where a person’s speech goes off-topic and seems disorganized. The connections between ideas are loose or fragmented, making the conversation difficult to follow.
D. Confabulation is a memory disturbance where a person creates false memories or fabricated details to fill in gaps in their memory. The individual does not intentionally deceive but genuinely believes their fabricated information is true.

A. Blurred vision B. Difficulty speaking C. Loss of tactile sensation D. inability to hear high-pitched sounds

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Blurred vision is generally associated with visual system issues, which involve the occipital lobe or the visual pathways rather than the frontal lobe. Broca’s area, located in the frontal lobe, is involved in speech production and not in vision processing.
B. Difficulty speaking is a key symptom associated with damage to Broca’s area, which is located in the frontal lobe and responsible for speech production. A contusion in this area can lead to expressive aphasia, where the individual has trouble forming grammatically correct sentences and articulating words, while comprehension remains relatively intact.
C. Loss of tactile sensation would generally be associated with damage to the parietal lobe, where the primary somatosensory cortex is located. The parietal lobe processes sensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain. Since Broca’s area is located in the frontal lobe and primarily deals with language production, loss of tactile sensation is not typically expected from a frontal lobe contusion affecting Broca's area.
D. Inability to hear high-pitched sounds relates to issues with the auditory pathways or structures involved in hearing, such as the temporal lobe or the auditory cortex, not the frontal lobe. The frontal lobe and Broca’s area do not directly control auditory perception.

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

In the Neuro ICU (intensive care unit) while performing a neurological assessment of the patient the nurse noticed the patient: patient opens eyes, looks at you, responds slowly, and is somewhat confused. What level of consciousness (LOC) is this patient presenting?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

While conducting an assessment the nurse suspects that a client is making up things in response to specific questions. What behavior is this client demonstrating?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Which of the following would the nurse most likely expect to find when assessing a client diagnosed with a frontal lobe contusion (in the Broca's Area) following a motor vehicle accident?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A patient is able to move both upper arms as follows: active movement against gravity, and some resistance. The nurse should document the muscle strength of the upper arms as:

A client opens the eyes and answers questions however falls back asleep within seconds. How should the nurse document this assessment finding?

When preparing to test a client for meningeal irritation, what would the nurse do first?

In the Neuro ICU, a comatose patient has this posture in bed: Upper arms are flexed tight to the sides with elbows, wrists, and fingers flexed. The legs are extended and internally rotated. The nurse interprets this posture as:

A client is able to actively move the right arm against gravity. How should the nurse document this finding using the muscle strength grading?

The nurse assesses brisk reflexes in a client. The nurse would document this finding as which of the following?

A nurse is having difficulty eliciting a patellar reflex. Which of the following would be most appropriate for the nurse to have the client do?