A patient has been admitted to the Neuro ICU with a diagnosis of a brain tumor. The patient is scheduled to have a tumor resection/removal in the morning. What is an important part of the initial assessment on this patient?
A) The gag reflex
B) Ability to chew
C) Sensory perception
D) Corneal reflex
Ans: A
Feedback: Preoperatively, the gag reflex and ability to swallow are evaluated. In patients with diminished gag response, care includes teaching the patient to direct food and fluids toward the unaffected side, having the patient sit upright to eat, offering a semisoft diet, and having suction readily available. The ability to chew and the corneal reflex would be assessed and so would sensory perception on the face, but none of them are more important than the gag reflex.
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