What does a nurse examine in a neurological assessment?

In a neurological assessment, the nurse focuses on key aspects that reflect the functioning of the nervous system, which includes evaluating the level of consciousness, orientation, motor function, and sensory responses.

The level of consciousness helps determine how alert and aware a patient is. It can indicate the presence of neurological problems. Orientation assesses whether the patient is aware of their identity, the time, and their surroundings, which further aids in understanding their cognitive function. Motor function evaluation involves checking the strength and coordination of movement, while sensory responses assess how the patient perceives stimuli, which is essential for understanding nerve path integrity.

The other choices involve different physiological assessments that do not specifically pertain to the neurological system. For example, heart function and blood pressure relate to cardiovascular health, breathing patterns and oxygen levels pertain to respiratory status, and skin color and temperature are often indicators of circulatory and environmental factors. Each of these areas is important in a complete physical assessment but does not directly evaluate neurological function.