Question

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

a) Blood pressure
b) Respiratory rate
c) Level of consciousness
d) Extremity strength

Answer 1

In the case of a suspected stroke, the nurse should prioritize assessing the client's level of consciousness as an immediate change can indicate significant brain dysfunction and requires rapid intervention.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing a client who has had a suspected stroke, the nurse should place priority on the level of consciousness (c). This is crucial because changes in consciousness can be indicative of significant brain dysfunction and require immediate medical intervention.

A person's level of consciousness is often affected by a stroke, and determining the patient's responsiveness is an essential element in the emergency protocol known as FAST—Face, Arms, Speech, Time—used to identify stroke symptoms quickly. Other assessments such as blood pressure, respiratory rate, and extremity strength are also important but are not the top priority in the initial rapid assessment after a suspected stroke.