A female client has a neurological deficit involving the limbic system.. Affect is flat, with periods of emotional lability

A female client has a neurological deficit involving the limbic system.

Specific to this type of deficit, the nurse would document which of the following information related to the client’s behavior.

• a- Is disoriented to person, place, and time
• b- Affect is flat, with periods of emotional lability
• c- Cannot recall what was eaten for breakfast today
• d- Demonstrate inability to add and subtract; does not know who is president.

The correct answer is b- Affect is flat, with periods of emotional lability.

The limbic system is a group of structures in the brain that are responsible for emotions, memory, and motivation. Damage to the limbic system can cause a variety of neurological deficits, including:

Emotional lability:

This is a condition in which a person's emotions change rapidly and unexpectedly. They may laugh or cry for no apparent reason.

Apathy:

This is a lack of interest or motivation. A person with apathy may not care about anything or anyone.

Disorientation:

This is a state of confusion about one's surroundings or identity. A person who is disoriented may not know where they are, who they are, or what day it is.

Memory impairment:

This is a difficulty remembering things. A person with memory impairment may not be able to remember recent events, people they have met, or where they put things.

Of the answer choices, "affect is flat, with periods of emotional lability" is the most specific to a neurological deficit involving the limbic system. This is because emotional lability is a common symptom of damage to the limbic system.

The other answer choices are not as specific to a neurological deficit involving the limbic system:

• "Is disoriented to person, place, and time" can be a symptom of a variety of neurological conditions, including delirium and dementia.
• "Cannot recall what was eaten for breakfast today" is a symptom of memory impairment, which can be caused by a variety of neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and stroke.
• "Demonstrate inability to add and subtract; does not know who is president" is a symptom of cognitive impairment, which can be caused by a variety of neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and stroke.

Therefore, the nurse would document that the client's affect is flat, with periods of emotional lability. This is the most specific finding to a neurological deficit involving the limbic system.