If a patient can only arouse to painful stimuli but otherwise remains unresponsive, which term applies?

The term that applies to a patient who can only be aroused to painful stimuli but otherwise remains unresponsive is stupor. Stupor describes a state of near-unconsciousness where the individual can be briefly awakened but does not engage meaningfully with stimuli and has significantly reduced responsiveness. Patients in a stuporous state may respond to painful stimuli with some movement or reflexes, but they do not respond verbally or follow commands.

Obtundation refers to a state of reduced alertness and responsiveness where a patient can be aroused with difficulty but may have a limited ability to engage with their environment, typically exhibiting more responsiveness than someone in stupor. Lethargy describes a condition where the person is drowsy and may fall asleep but can easily be awakened and respond to conversation or gentle stimuli. Comatose indicates a state of complete unresponsiveness; the patient does not respond to any stimuli, including painful ones, which is not the case in the given scenario.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurately assessing levels of consciousness in clinical settings.