
Fundamental of Nursing Procedure Manual
51
Action(✽Rationale)
Normalfindings Abnormalfindings/
Changesfromnormal
Observe the client’s level of
consciousness( ; LOC) and
orientation. Ask the client to state
his/her own name, current location,
and approximate day, month, or
year.(✽Responsesindicatetheclient’s
brainfunction. LOC is the degree of
awareness of environmental stimuli.
It varies from full wakefulness and
alertness to coma. Orientation is a
measure of cognitive function or the
abilityto thinkandreason.)
The client is fullyawake and
alert: eyesareopenand follow
people orobjects.The clientis
attentive to questions and
accuratelytocommands.
If he/she is sleeping, he/she
responds readily to verbal or
physical stimuli and
demonstrates wakefulness
andalertness.
The client is aware of who
he/she is( orientation to
person), where he/she is
( orientation to place), and
when it is( orientation to
time).
Client hasloweredLOC and
shows irritability, short
attention span, or dulled
perceptions.
He/she is uncooperative or
unable to follow simple
commandsor answersimple
questions.
At a lowered LOC, he/she
may respond to physical
stimuli only. The lowest
extreme is coma, when the
eyesareclosedand theclient
failsto respond to verbalor
physical stimuli, when no
voluntarymovement.
If LOC is between full
awareness and coma,
objectively note the client’s
eye movement: voluntary,
withdrawal to stimuli or
withdrawal to noxious
stimuli(pain)only.
Observe the client’s abilityto think,
remember, process information, and
communicate.( ✽ These processes
indicatecognitivefunctioning.)
Inspect articulation on speech, style
andcontentsof speacking
The client is able to follow
commands and repeat and
rememberinformation.
smooth/ appropriate native
language
Dysphasia
Dysarthria
Memoryloss
Disorientation
Hallucinations
not clear/ not smooth/
inappropriatecontents
Observe the client’s ability to see,
hear, smell and distinguish tactile
sensations.
The client can hear even
though the speaker turns
away.
He/she can identify objects or
readsa clockin the roomand
distinguish between sharp
andsoftobjects.
The client cannnot hear low
tonesand mustlook directly
atthespeaker.
He/she cannotreada clockor
distinguishsharpfrom soft.
Observesigns ofdistress(✽ Alertthe
examiner to immediate concerns. If
you note distress, the client may
require healthcare interventions
beforeyou continuetheexam.)
The client shows labored
breathing,wheezing,coughing,
wincing,sweating,guarding of
body part (suggests pain),
anxious facial expression, of
fidgetymovements.