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If you have a conscious medical patient, what type of secondary assessment should you perform?

1 Answer

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Final answer:

In an emergency situation, a rapid assessment of neurological function is important for conscious medical patients. Tests such as checking reflexes, sensory responses, and motor control can help identify deficits in the patient's nervous system. Additional tests and treatment options depend on the underlying cause of the symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

In an emergency situation, a rapid assessment of neurological function is important to determine the extent of damage and provide appropriate treatment. For a conscious medical patient, the primary assessment is focused on evaluating the patient's reflexes, sensory responses, and motor control. This assessment involves checking the patient's ability to perform tasks such as smiling, lifting arms and legs, indicating touch sensation, and following a moving object with their eyes. These tests help determine if there are any deficits in the patient's nervous system and guide further diagnostic procedures.

Based on the patient's symptoms of pins and needles sensation and difficulty feeling touch in the left arm and leg, further tests should be performed to identify the cause of these sensory deficits. The patient may require imaging tests, such as a CT scan, to assess the blood flow and detect any blockages or stroke. The doctor may also recommend additional tests to evaluate the patient's cognitive and language functions. Treatment options depend on the underlying cause of the symptoms and can include medications, rehabilitation therapies, or surgical interventions.

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