A victim of a multivehicle automobile crash is brought into the emergency department. The patient has slurred speech and is lethargic. The nurse anticipates that which diagnostic tests would be indicated for this patient?

Select all that apply.
1. blood alcohol level
2. urine drug screen
3. skull x-rays
4. chest x-ray
5. urinalysis


Correct Answer: 1, 2

Alcohol alters a person's level of consciousness, so a blood alcohol level would likely be ordered for a patient with slurred speech and lethargy. Some drugs can cause lethargy and slurred speech, so a urine drug screen would likely be ordered for this patient. Skull x-rays may or may not be indicated for the patient. A chest x-ray and urinalysis would likely be ordered, but not because of the slurred speech or lethargy.

Nursing

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