A 40 year-old male is brought into the emergency department by ambulance due to “altered mental state.” The nurse has reviewed the client’s history and physical and has performed a head-to-toe physical assessment. The nurse has documented that the client presents as “somnolent.” Click to highlight the patient assessment findings in the nurse’s notes that support somnolence.

Nurse’s Note: Client arrived to the emergency department via ambulance accompanied by his partner. Client’s partner states he was unable to reach the client by phone and when he arrived to the client’s house, he was found “laying in bed like this.” Vital signs are: T 97.8F, HR 65bpm, RR 10 per minute, BP 110/82 mmHg, O2 sat 96% on 2LNC. Client will awaken to sternal rub only. Skin is warm and dry with no obvious wounds. Breath sounds are clear bilaterally. Peripheral pulses are 2+ bilaterally. Client is unable to stay awake if aroused. No verbal responses are noted except occasional mumbling.