Question

After suffering a traumatic brain injury, Garland appeared to be unconscious. However, when he was told to imagine playing soccer or driving to his office, Garland's brain activity looked like that of healthy volunteers. Which term best describes Garland's mental state?

Answer 1

The correct answer is Garland is experiencing altered consciousness.

Altered consciousness is when the ability to remain alert and interact with the environment is lost.

Being in a state of alert, and conscious, is what makes a person able to respond appropriately to the environment around him, know who he is, where he is, where he lives, what time of day he is, among others things.

When consciousness is altered or decreased, the person's ability to remain awake, alert or oriented in relation to the environment around him is compromised. Altered awareness can be a medical emergency condition.