The nurse is assessing a patient with a suspected stroke. What assessment finding is most suggestive of a stroke?

Choice D rationale
When assessing a patient with an altered level of consciousness, the nurse’s initial action should be to assess the patient’s response to pain. This is a fundamental part of the neurological examination and can provide valuable information about the patient’s level of consciousness and neurological function. Pain response can be assessed by applying a painful stimulus, such as a pinch, and observing the patient’s reaction.
Choice A rationale
Assessing the patient’s ability to follow complex commands is an important part of the neurological examination, but it is not typically the initial action when assessing a patient with an altered level of consciousness. This assessment requires a higher level of cognitive function and may not be possible in a patient with significantly altered consciousness.
Choice B rationale
Assessing the patient’s judgment is an important part of the mental status examination, but it is not typically the initial action when assessing a patient with an altered level of consciousness. Like the ability to follow complex commands, judgment requires a higher level of cognitive function and may not be assessable in a patient with significantly altered consciousness.

Choice C rationale
Assessing the patient’s verbal response is an important part of the neurological examination, but it is not typically the initial action when assessing a patient with an altered level of consciousness. The patient’s ability to speak and the content of their speech can provide important information about their neurological function, but this assessment may not be possible in a patient with significantly altered consciousness.

Choice A rationale
Supporting the right arm with a sling or pillow can help prevent shoulder dislocation, but it may not directly ensure the safety of a patient who has experienced a stroke in the right hemisphere of the brain.
Choice B rationale
While it is true that a patient who has experienced a stroke in the right hemisphere of the brain may exhibit some degree of expressive or receptive aphasia, anticipating this does not directly ensure the patient’s safety.
Choice C rationale

Placing the wheelchair on the client’s left side when transferring him into a wheelchair is a good practice, but it may not directly ensure the safety of a patient who has experienced a stroke in the right hemisphere of the brain.
Choice D rationale
Patients who have experienced a stroke in the right hemisphere of the brain often exhibit impulsiveness and poor judgment. Therefore, providing close supervision can help ensure the patient’s safety.