Final answer:
The priority assessment for a patient with a brainstem infarction is assessing respiratory and cranial nerve function, which is critical for immediate identification of risks to vital functions and informed treatment decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The priority assessment for a patient with a brainstem infarction upon admission to a nursing unit is assessing respiratory and cranial nerve function. This is vital because the brainstem houses critical centers responsible for controlling breathing and heart rate, among other functions. A rapid evaluation of these areas is crucial to determine if the patient's vital functions are intact. When a patient presents with a stroke-like syndrome, assessing their neurological function can reveal which part of the nervous system may be affected. As the brainstem also contains the origins of cranial nerves, evaluating these can give important clues about the location and severity of the stroke. The assessment commonly includes observing facial symmetry, tongue movement, shoulder shrugging, and checking reflexes and sensory responses. This immediate attention is essential because neurological recovery is highly dependent on the timeliness of treatment, indicated by the mnemonic FAST, which stands for Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time to call emergency services.