Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) Practice Exam

If a patient is unaware of objects on their right side, what is the most important action to help them compensate?

1. Encourage the patient to position and turn their head frequently

2. Place objects within the patient's limited vision range

3. Restrict the patient’s movements to their left side

4. Use auditory cues to redirect attention

The correct answer is: Encourage the patient to position and turn their head frequently

Encouraging the patient to position and turn their head frequently is an important action because it actively engages the patient in the process of increasing their awareness of their environment, particularly objects located on their right side. This strategy is rooted in the rehabilitation principle of promoting the use of all available sensory input to compensate for deficits, commonly observed in conditions such as hemispatial neglect, where patients may fail to notice objects on one side. By turning their head, the patient is likely to gain visual and spatial awareness of the right side, which can facilitate better interactions with their environment and aid in recovery. This is significant as it helps in re-establishing neural pathways and cognitive recognition related to spatial awareness. Other options, such as placing objects within the patient's limited vision range or using auditory cues, may provide support but do not promote active engagement in the same way. Additionally, restricting movements to only one side may reinforce neglect and diminish opportunities for recovery and adaptive strategies. Thus, the most effective way to enhance the patient's awareness and compensate for their deficits is to encourage head-turning and repositioning, fostering a more comprehensive engagement with their surroundings.