A new graduate nurse has come to the neurologic unit. It is her first day and she has full of questions. She comes to you and wants to know the classifications of level of consciousness (LOC) as it relates to assessing a client
She wants to know what the levels mean and if they are for only altered level of consciousness or everyone in the unit.
a. What are the levels of consciousness?
Students' answers should include the following:
a. Clients are assessed with a neurologic assessment depending on the area of the hospital they are in as well as the diagnosis or symptoms they present. These are checked as per policy and as the nurse feels is necessary if there appears to be changes present.
Glasgow coma scale is used with sedation-type medications; levels of consciousness are conscious, lethargic or somnolent, stuporous, semicomatose or comatose.
Levels of consciousness are assessed as listed below on all clients:
• Client responds immediately.
• Client is drowsy or sleepy but can be aroused.
• Client is aroused by vigorous stimulation.
• Client is unresponsive except to superficial, relatively mild painful stimulation.
• Client responds only to painful stimuli.
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