Question

A nurse is assessing a client who has had a suspected stroke. The nurse should place their priority on which of the following findings?

a) Blood pressure
b) Respiratory rate
c) Glasgow Coma Scale score
d) Blood glucose level

Answer 1

The Glasgow Coma Scale score is the priority assessment for a nurse evaluating a client with a suspected stroke because it quickly assesses consciousness and neurological function. Rapid assessment is vital for guiding interventions and may lead to initial treatments like aspirin therapy to prevent complications.

The correct answer is c) Glasgow Coma Scale score

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing a client with a suspected stroke, the priority for a nurse should be to evaluate which of the following findings: a) Blood pressure b) Respiratory rate c) Glasgow Coma Scale score d) Blood glucose level. The correct answer is c) Glasgow Coma Scale score because this scale provides a quick, reliable way to assess the level of consciousness and neurological function of the patient, which is critical in a stroke situation. Rapid assessment of neurological function is crucial because it enables immediate determination of the stroke's impact and guides necessary interventions. A stroke is caused by a disruption of blood to the brain, which may result in sensory and motor deficits as well as cognitive or language impairments. To limit further complications such as blood clots forming, aspirin therapy may be initiated based on the symptoms observed.