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WGU RN HESI health assessment
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The client is a 76-year-old female who arrived at the emergency department (ED) via ambulance from an assisted living facility after a fall. The client called for help using her medical alert necklace. Reports feeling dizzy and lightheaded for the past two days. The client is unable to recall the events that led up to the fall and states, "l do not know how long I was down." Past medical history includes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension (HTN), and carotid artery stenosis. Smokes half a pack of cigarettes daily for 40 years. Attempted to quit smoking five years ago after a right carotid endarterectomy.

 On arrival

Temperature: 98.90 F (37. 10 C) orally

Heart rate: 101 beats/minute

Respirations: 22 breaths/minute

Blood pressure: 156/90 mm Hg

Oxygen saturation: 92% on room air

1635

Temperature: 98.60 F (370 C) orally

Heart rate: 98 beats/minute

Respirations: 22 breaths/minute

Blood pressure: 160/92 mm Hg

Computed tomography (CT) of the head

Carotid duplex ultrasound

Complete blood count (CBC), complete metabolic panel (CMP), prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (PT/INR), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), C-reactive protein (CRP), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL)

Admit to the stroke unit

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain

Computed tomography (CT) of brain: negative

Carotid ultrasound: left carotid 80% stenosis


Which assessment(s) should the nurse conduct? Select all that apply.


Answer Options

Hint : 🧩Assessments that detect changes in neurologic function are vital for clients with cerebrovascular risks.

Correct Answers:

  • Muscle tone
  • Level of consciousness
  • Cranial nerves
  • Pupil size
  • Glasgow coma scale


Rationale :

🧠Assessment of muscle tone is important in a client with a fall and carotid artery disease to detect neuromuscular deficits or asymmetry, which may indicate a stroke or transient ischemic attack.

👁️Level of consciousness should always be evaluated post-fall, especially in elderly clients with possible neurological impairment and memory loss, to monitor for changes related to cerebral perfusion or injury.

🧪Cranial nerve assessment provides essential information about brainstem function and possible neurological deterioration, particularly relevant in stroke evaluation and carotid artery disease.

🔦Pupil size and reactivity must be checked to assess for signs of intracranial pressure changes or neurological compromise, which are essential in the context of a fall and potential cerebral insult.

📊Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a standardized neurological scale used to measure consciousness level, offering a baseline and tracking tool for neurological trends over time.

📌Core Message

Neurological assessments such as muscle tone, LOC, cranial nerves, pupil checks, and GCS are essential in evaluating clients with carotid artery disease and recent falls to identify early signs of neurological compromise or stroke.

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