Test Bank for Medical Surgical Nursing: Concepts for Interprofessional Collaborative Care 10th Edition - Care of Critically Ill Patients with Neurologic Problems Related

Review Test Bank for Medical Surgical Nursing: Concepts for Interprofessional Collaborative Care 10th Edition - Care of Critically Ill Patients with Neurologic Problems related questions and content

A nurse a caring for four clients in the neurologic intensive care unit. After receiving the hand-off report, which client should the nurse see first.

  • A. Client who a Glasgow Coma Scale score that was 10 and is now is 8
  • B. Client with a Glasgow Coma Scale score that was 9 and is now is 12
  • C. Client with a moderate brain injury who is amnesia for the event
  • D. Client who is respiratory pain medication for a headache.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A client decrease in the Glasgow Coma Scale score is clinically significant and the nurse needs to see this client first. An improvement on the score is a good sign. Amnesia is an expected finding with brain injuries, so this client is lower priority. The client requesting pain medication should be seen after the one with the decline the Glasgow Coma Scale score.