The nurse performs a neurological assessment and determines the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score is 15. What will the nurse do next?
Re-assess in 15 minutes
Ask the patient to open eyes on command
Document the findings
Notify the physician
The Correct Answer is C
A) Re-assess in 15 minutes: While regular assessments are important in a neurological evaluation, if the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score is 15, indicating the patient is fully alert and oriented, there may not be an immediate need to re-assess so soon unless the patient's condition changes.
B) Ask the patient to open eyes on command: If the GCS score is already determined to be 15, this indicates that the patient is responsive and capable of opening their eyes spontaneously. Asking the patient to open their eyes is unnecessary in this context since the score already reflects full responsiveness.
C) Document the findings: Documenting the GCS score of 15 is crucial as it establishes a baseline for the patient’s neurological status. This documentation is essential for ongoing assessments and monitoring, providing a record of the patient’s condition at this moment.
D) Notify the physician: Notifying the physician is not required for a GCS score of 15, as this score indicates a normal level of consciousness. Communication with the physician would be warranted only if there were changes in the patient's condition or a lower GCS score observed.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Information sharing is limited to those directly involved in the client's care: This statement reflects the principle of confidentiality and the ethical obligation to protect the client's private health information. Only healthcare providers directly involved in the client’s care should have access to their information, ensuring that it remains secure and confidential.
B) All members of the unit's healthcare team may have access to the client's chart: While many healthcare team members need access to the client's information for care coordination, this statement is misleading. Access should be limited to those directly involved in the client’s care to protect their confidentiality.
C) The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) determines who may communicate with the client: While HIPAA does set guidelines for the protection of health information and governs the sharing of health data, it does not specifically determine who may communicate with the client. Instead, it focuses on protecting their privacy.
D) The medical records are open to any hospital employee, including administration: This statement is incorrect as it violates confidentiality principles. Medical records are not accessible to all hospital employees; access is restricted to authorized personnel only, ensuring that patient information is kept confidential.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) "Have you ever had any surgeries?": While this question is important, it is more specific and may not provide the comprehensive context needed to guide the interview. It could lead to a narrow focus on past surgical history without addressing the client’s current health status or concerns.
B) "Tell me about any medical problems that you have had.": This question is useful but lacks the immediate relevance to the client's current situation. It may prompt the client to recount past issues rather than focusing on their current health needs and reasons for seeking care.
C) "Tell me about any medications you are currently taking.": This is an essential aspect of health history, but like the previous options, it doesn't address the client’s immediate concerns or symptoms that may guide the rest of the interview.
D) "Tell me why you are seeking care today.": This question is the most effective starting point as it directly addresses the client’s current health issue or concern. Understanding the reason for seeking care helps the nurse prioritize topics, gather relevant information, and tailor the rest of the health history interview to the client’s specific needs, making it a crucial guide for further questioning.