When performing a neurologic assessment on an alert client, the nurse observes that the client's pupils are both round, 3 mm in size, and respond briskly to light. Which notation should the nurse use when documenting the assessment?
Pupils equal, round, reacts to light, and accommodation (PERLA).
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 15.
Pupils equal, round, reacts to light (PERRL).
Neurological status intact.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Reason:
Pupils equal, round, reacts to light, and accommodation (PERLA) is inappropriate. While PERLA includes accommodation, which involves constriction of the pupils when focusing on a near object, accommodation was not specifically assessed or mentioned in the scenario. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to include it in the documentation based solely on the information provided.
Choice B Reason:
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 15 is inappropriate. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) assesses the level of consciousness based on eye, verbal, and motor responses. However, the scenario does not provide information about the client's verbal or motor responses, so using the GCS score of 15 would not accurately reflect the findings described in the assessment of the pupils.
Choice C Reason:
Pupils equal, round, reacts to light (PERRL) is appropriate. This notation describes the key observations made during the assessment of the client's pupils. "PERRL" stands for Pupils Equal, Round, and Reactive to Light. In the given scenario, both pupils are equal in size, round, and demonstrate a brisk response to light, indicating normal pupillary function.
Choice D Reason:
Neurological status intact is inappropriate. While the assessment findings suggest normal pupillary function, documenting "neurological status intact" is a broader statement that encompasses various aspects of neurological function beyond just pupillary assessment. It may be accurate to describe the pupillary findings within the context of a broader neurological assessment, but it does not specifically address the pupil findings as described in the scenario. Therefore, option C is the most appropriate notation for documenting the assessment findings of the pupils.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Get the most difficult questions over with first is not the best approach because starting with the most difficult questions may put the client on the defensive or make them feel uncomfortable, hindering open communication. It's important to build rapport and establish trust with the client before addressing sensitive topics.
Choice B Reason:
Asking questions in a vague, non-specific format is not effective because vague and non-specific questions may result in ambiguous or incomplete responses, making it difficult to gather accurate information about the client's alcohol and substance use. Clear and specific questions are necessary to obtain relevant details.
Choice C Reason:
Sharing personal values to put the client at ease is not recommended as it can compromise the nurse's professional boundaries and may influence the client's responses. The focus of the interview should be on the client, and the nurse should maintain a neutral and non-judgmental stance.
Choice D Reason:
Begin with questions that are less sensitive in nature is the best approach because it allows the nurse to establish rapport and build trust with the client before addressing more sensitive topics such as alcohol and substance use. Starting with less threatening questions helps the client feel more comfortable and willing to disclose information, facilitating open communication and rapport-building.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Covering the inflamed area and notify the healthcare provider suggests taking precautions to protect the inflamed area and promptly informing the healthcare provider. While it's important to notify the healthcare provider about any concerning findings, covering the area without further assessment may prevent the nurse from gathering additional information that could be helpful in determining the cause of the lymph node enlargement.
Choice B Reason:
Auscultating the lymph node for the presence of a bruit involves listening for abnormal sounds (bruits) over the lymph node, which could indicate underlying vascular abnormalities. While it's important to assess lymph nodes for abnormalities, such as tenderness or enlargement, auscultation for bruits is not a standard assessment technique for lymph nodes.
Choice C Reason:
Asking the client about any localized tenderness at the site involves directly gathering information from the client about their experience of tenderness at the site of the enlarged lymph node. This information can provide valuable clues about the nature of the lymph node enlargement, such as whether it is inflamed due to infection or inflammation.
Choice D Reason:
Recording this normal finding in the assessment record assumes that the nurse considers the enlarged and visible lymph node as a normal finding. However, enlarged and visible lymph nodes are not typically considered normal and may indicate an underlying health issue that requires further assessment and intervention.
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