Final answer:
In assessing a patient with a right hemispheric stroke, a nurse should expect to encounter visual spatial deficits, left hemianopsia, right hemiplegia, and one-sided neglect, with expressive aphasia being less likely as it is typically linked to left hemisphere damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assessing a patient with a right hemispheric stroke, a home health nurse should expect to find neurologic deficits that may include b. Visual spatial deficits, c. Left hemianopsia, d. Right hemiplegia, and e. One-sided neglect. Expressive aphasia (a. Expressive aphasia) is generally associated with damage to the left hemisphere of the brain, and while right hemisphere damage can affect language use, it typically does not result in traditional expressive aphasia. Deficits like visual spatial issues and one-sided neglect are characteristic of right hemisphere strokes due to its role in nonverbal communication, spatial processing, and attention to the left side of the body.
For example, a patient with a right hemispheric stroke may fail to recognize objects or have a difficulty in perceiving spatial relationships. They might also exhibit left hemianopsia, which is a loss of vision in the left sides of both visual fields. Furthermore, right hemiplegia, paralysis on the right side of the body, is not expected since the right hemisphere controls the left side. One-sided neglect is commonly observed in these patients, as they may not pay attention to objects or even their own limbs on the left side. This can profoundly affect the patient’s ability to perform daily activities safely and independently, necessitating tailored care and rehabilitation strategies.