Question

A nurse is told during change-of-shift report that a client is stuporous. When assessing the client, which of the following is an expected finding?

A. The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rib.
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.

ATI RN Mental Health Nursing Modules Ch. 1 Application Exercises

Answer 1

The expected finding when assessing a stuporous client is that they arouse briefly in response to a sternal rub, which is a strong stimuli, demonstrating a simple response to pain.

Step-by-step explanation:

A client who is stuporous will not be fully conscious or alert, and will typically exhibit a limited response to stimuli. This is demonstrated by a patient who arouses briefly in response to strong stimuli, such as a sternal rub, which is a painful stimulus applied to the sternum or chest area. This response aligns with option A, "The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub." In this state, a client is not fully awake but may respond to stimuli like pain with a simple response.

Stupor is one of the conditions assessed in the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), but a score less than 7 often indicates a state of coma, not stupor, as seen in option B. Decorticate rigidity (option C) is associated with a more severe brain injury and does not necessarily correlate with stupor. Finally, being alert but disoriented to time and place (option D) defines confusion rather than stupor.