Question

During an assessment of a patient who sustained a head injury 24 hours ago, the medical-surgical nurse notes the development of slurred speech and disorientation to time and place. The nurse's initial action is to:

A. Continue the hourly neurologic assessments.
B. Inform the neurosurgeon of the patient's status.
C. Prepare the patient for emergency surgery.
D Recheck the patient's neurologic status in 15 minutes.

Answer 1

A rapid assessment of neurological function is crucial in an emergency situation to determine the severity and location of the injury. The nurse's initial action should be to inform the neurosurgeon of the patient's status.

Step-by-step explanation:

A rapid assessment of neurological function is important in an emergency situation because it helps determine the severity and location of the injury or condition. In the case of a head injury, symptoms such as slurred speech and disorientation can indicate increased intracranial pressure or brain swelling, which require immediate medical intervention. Therefore, the nurse's initial action should be to inform the neurosurgeon of the patient's status so that appropriate measures can be taken to prevent further damage.