Author Question: A nurse on a neurology unit is assessing a female brain-injured client. The client is unresponsive ... (Read 118 times)

melly21297 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A nurse on a neurology unit is assessing a female brain-injured client. The client is unresponsive to speech, and her pupils are dilated and do not react to light. She is breathing regularly, but her respiratory rate is 45 breaths/minute.

In response to a noxious stimulus, her arms and legs extend rigidly. What is her level of impairment?
A)
Delirium
B)
Coma
C)
Brain death
D)
Vegetative state

Question 2

During a late night study session, a pathophysiology student reaches out to turn the page of her textbook. Which of the following components of her nervous system contains the highest level of control of her arm and hand action?

A)
Cerebellum
B)
Thalamus
C)
Basal ganglia
D)
Frontal lobe

vboyd24 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Ans:
B

Feedback:

The continuum of loss of consciousness is marked by the degree of client's responsiveness to stimuli, in addition to the preservation of brain stem reflexes. Since this client still exhibits a pain response (the extended arms and legs indicate decerebrate posturing), even though her pupils are not responsive to light, she has sustained sufficient brain function that she fails to qualify as being brain dead or in a vegetative state.

Answer to Question 2

Ans:
D

Feedback:

While intentional movement involves input from various components of the nervous system including the cerebellum, thalamus, and basal ganglia, primary control and coordination are controlled by the motor cortex in the frontal lobe.