NRSG125 – Assessment Task #2
Mrs Alice Palmer, a 54year old women, has been admitted into the acute stroke unit after having an ischaemic stroke 18 hours ago. She is in a stable condition but is in need of ongoing treatment, assessment and rehabilitation. This essay will identify and discuss key elements of the data recorded and include information and research related to the chosen scenario. It will also include a review of the patient’s situation and a detailed explanation of the relevant health assessments chosen.
When walking into the room of any patient it is important for the nurse to be observant and critical of the environment and the patient themselves. The nurse needs to consider what they see, think, feel, smell and hear before…show more content… The equipment needed to perform this test includes a pupil gauge, pen and neurological observation sheet (Joanne Tollefson, 2016). First, the level of consciousness is assessed through the patient’s pupil response. A pupil gauge is used to assess the reactiveness and function of the patient’s pupils. Second, the orientation of the patient is assessed through asking a series of questions to identify themselves, the situation, where they are and the date or time of the year. Third, the motor response of the patient is assessed through single response commands requiring a motor response like for example ‘cross your left hand over to touch your right shoulder’. This determines whether they are able to physically and mentally obey to commands which shows the cognitive function and motor response of the patient (Joanne Tollefson, 2016). This assessment in particular is important for stroke patients because it can determine the amount of neurological and motor function and show how the stroke has damaged their brain. Alice’s score would be just below a 15 and the left arm and leg should be recorded as weak on the
