When assessing a patient with a previous brain injury, what should you do?

When assessing a patient with a previous brain injury, it is crucial to ask the patient's family what is considered normal for that individual. This approach provides valuable insights into the patient's baseline condition, helping you to identify any changes in behavior or neurological status. Family members often have a better understanding of the patient's typical responses, cognitive abilities, and physical functioning. This information is crucial for making accurate observations and providing appropriate care, as it allows for better recognition of any deviations from the patient's normal state.

While other options may seem relevant, they do not as effectively enhance the assessment process. For instance, hyperventilating a patient without evidence of respiratory distress can lead to further complications. Similarly, not all disabled patients are incapable of communicating, and it's vital to assess each individual's ability to express themselves, while automatically assuming inability could result in missed important information. Lastly, considering asymmetric pupils solely as a result of past injury may overlook acute changes, which could indicate new or worsening intracranial pathology. Hence, understanding the patient's unique baseline through informants like family is paramount.