Question

A home health nurse is assigned to a client who was recently discharged from a rehabilitation center after experiencing a right-hemispheric stroke. Which of the following neurologic deficits should the nurse expect to find when assessing the client? ( select all that apply)

Answer 1

A home health nurse assessing a client with a right-hemispheric stroke should expect to find neurologic deficits such as weakness or paralysis on the left side, spatial and perceptual difficulties, behavioral changes, and visual field deficits.

Step-by-step explanation:

A home health nurse assessing a client who has experienced a right-hemispheric stroke should expect to find various neurologic deficits. One of the key areas affected by a stroke in the right hemisphere of the brain is motor function, particularly on the left side of the body. This is because each hemisphere of the brain controls the opposite side of the body. Therefore, the nurse may observe weakness or paralysis on the client's left side.

Additionally, since the right hemisphere is often associated with spatial and perceptual abilities, the nurse might find that the client has difficulty with spatial awareness and may neglect the left side of their body or space (hemispatial neglect). Behavioral changes are also possible, such as impulsivity or a lack of awareness of these deficits. Lastly, the client may experience visual field deficits, like difficulty seeing to the left side, known as homonymous hemianopsia.

Each of these deficits corresponds to specific functions of the nervous system. They can indicate the severity and location of the stroke and play a crucial role in the subsequent treatment and rehabilitation efforts to regain lost function and compensate for permanent changes.