Your three-year-old patient opens her eyes and responds when you speak to her. Her mental status is best described as:
A) alert.
B) responsive to tactile stimuli.
C) responsive to verbal stimuli.
D) lethargic.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is responding to verbal stimuli by opening her eyes and responding when spoken to. Alert would be the best option if the patient was fully awake, reactive, and able to respond appropriately to all stimuli, but this patient is only responding to verbal stimuli. Responsive to tactile stimuli would mean the patient is only responding to touch or pressure, which is not the case here. Lethargic would indicate a patient who is drowsy, sluggish and has reduced responsiveness, which is not the case here as the patient is responding appropriately to verbal stimuli.

Your Three-Year-Old Patient Opens Her Eyes and Responds When You