Altered Level of Consciousness

Question 1

What is the most important indicator of a patient’s condition?

Answer 1

Level of Responsiveness & Consciousness

Question 2

What are the 3 “U’s” of Coma?

Answer 2

Unconsciousness
Unarousable
Unresponsiveness

Question 3

What is Akinetic Mutism?

Answer 3

Unresponsiveness to the environment, makes no movement or sound but sometimes opens eyes.

Question 4

What is a Persistent Vegetative State?

Answer 4

Devoid of cognitive function but has sleep-wake cycles.

Question 5

What is Locked-In Syndrome?

Answer 5

Inability to move or respond except for eye movements due to a lesion affecting the pons.

Question 6

What is included in the assessment of a patient with Altered LOC?

Answer 6

Verbal Response
Alertness
Motor Response (Posturing)
Respiratory Status
Eye Signs
Reflexes

Question 7

What is included in the nursing diagnosis of a patient with an Altered LOC?

Answer 7

Ineffective Airway Clearance
Risk of Injury
Deficient Fluid Volume
Impaired Oral Mucosa
Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity & Impaired Tissue Integrity (Cornea)
Ineffective Thermoregulation
Impaired Urinary Elimination & Bowel Incontinence
Disturbed Sensory Perception
Interrupted Family Processes