The nurse is performing an assessment on a patient. How would the nurse best evaluate improvement or deterioration in the neurologic status?
Assessing pupils for reactivity, equality, symmetry, and accommodation
Obtaining vital signs every four hours while hospitalized
Performing serial Glasgow Coma Scales throughout hospitalization
Performing a Mini Mental Status Exam at admission and discharge
The Correct Answer is C
A. Assessing pupils is important, but it provides only partial information about the overall neurologic status and does not give a comprehensive picture of improvement or deterioration.
B. Vital signs can indicate some changes in condition but are not specific to neurologic status and do not provide detailed insight into cognitive or motor function.
C. Performing serial Glasgow Coma Scales allows for a standardized and objective assessment of a patient's level of consciousness, motor responses, and verbal responses over time, making it the most effective method to evaluate neurologic status.
D. The Mini Mental Status Exam provides useful information about cognitive function but may not capture acute changes in neurologic status as effectively as the Glasgow Coma Scale.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Slowing the rate of infusion may provide some temporary relief, but it does not address the underlying issue and may worsen the situation.
B. Applying a warm compress may soothe discomfort but is not the priority action when a burning sensation is reported, which could indicate potential extravasation.
C. Discontinuing the infusion is the best first action to prevent further damage to the tissue and to assess for complications such as infiltration or extravasation.
D. Checking for blood return can help assess the patency of the IV line, but the priority is to stop the infusion immediately to prevent complications.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The initial assessment describes a state of confusion where the patient is awake but experiencing forgetfulness and difficulty following commands. The subsequent assessment indicates lethargy, as the patient is now sleepy and has slow responses, which aligns with the definitions of confusion and lethargy.
B. While confusion is present in the first assessment, stupor describes a state of near-unconsciousness, which does not match the second assessment.
C. Although lethargy is appropriate for the second assessment, obtunded refers to a state where the patient is less aware and has difficulty arousing, which is not accurately described here.
D. The first assessment indicates confusion, but the patient is not fully conscious as described in the second assessment, which does not align with this option.
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