A patient is admitted to the critical care unit with a subdural hematom
a. The GCS is used to assess his level of consciousness. Which statement is true concerning the GCS?
a. It provides data about level of consciousness only.
b. It is considered equivalent to a complete neurologic examination.
c. It is a sensitive tool for evaluation of an altered sensorium.
d. It is the most critical assessment parameter to account for possible aphasia.
A
Several points should be kept in mind when the Glasgow Coma Scale is used for serial assessment. It provides data about level of consciousness only, and it should never be considered a complete neurologic examination. Additionally, it is not a sensitive tool for evaluation of an altered sensorium, and it does not account for possible aphasia or mechanical intubation. It is also a poor indicator of lateralization of neurologic deterioration.
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Consulting the medical chart, the nurse recognizes that this patient has a history of opioid addiction. What would be the most appropriate intervention? A) Immediately take the patient off of the opioid and give him Tylenol. B) Leave the patient on the opioid at the current dose level. C) Increase the dose of opioid to provide more effective pain relief. D) Reduce the dose of opioid and offer to turn on the television as a distraction from the pain.
The nurse is using short, tapping strokes on the surface of the skin to create vibrations of underlying organs while assessing a client. This assessment technique would be considered to be:
a. inspection. c. percussion. b. palpation. d. auscultation.
Which research design has the goal of determining a cause-and-effect relationship?
a. Experimental design b. Nonexperimental design c. Pure research d. Applied research
The following data were collected about clients' primary admission diagnoses at a hospital for the past 3 years
A nurse serving as Chair of the Clinical Pathways Committee for this facility prioritizes the diagnoses for clinical pathway development from most important to least important. What is the correct prioritization? Client Diagnosis 2002 2003 2004 A. Diabetes mellitus 1200 1350 1780 B. Urinary tract infections 790 850 589 C. Heart failure 1150 1350 1600 D. COPD 1500 1700 2100 E. Angina pectoris 2175 2268 2589