Question

A nurse is told during change of shift report that a client is stuporous. When assessing the client, which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A. The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub.
B. The client has a glasgow coma scale score less than 7.
C. The client exhibits decorticate rigidity.
D. The client is alert but disoriented to time and place.

Answer 1

A stuporous client is expected to arouse briefly in response to a sternal rub as this indicates a state of altered consciousness where the patient can respond to strong stimuli.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing a client who is stuporous, the nurse should expect that the client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub, which is consistent with a state of altered consciousness. A stuporous patient may not be fully aware or able to interact with their environment but can respond to strong stimuli like pain. This response is a key assessment finding that distinguishes stupor from other, deeper levels of impaired consciousness such as a coma, indicated by a Glasgow Coma Scale score of less than 7 where the patient would not show responses like briefly arousing. Patients exhibiting decorticate rigidity or those who are alert but disoriented may present with different levels of consciousness disturbances, not specifically stupor.