During the primary assessment, your patient groans and tries to turn away when you apply a sternal rub. Otherwise, there is no other response. The patient's mental status can best be described as:
A) alert.
B) responds to painful stimulus.
C) responds to verbal stimulus.
D) unresponsive.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is showing a response to a painful stimulus, which indicates a level of mental status between being fully responsive and unresponsive. Therefore, the best choice is B) responds to painful stimulus.

During the Primary Assessment, Your Patient Groans and Tries to Turn