In a client recovering from a stroke, which observation might indicate potential personality changes?

Impulsiveness and confabulation are significant indicators of potential personality changes in someone recovering from a stroke. These behaviors can be symptoms of brain dysfunction, particularly if the stroke has affected areas associated with impulse control, judgment, and memory. Following a stroke, individuals may exhibit reduced self-regulation, leading to impulsive actions without considering consequences.

Confabulation, which involves the creation of false memories or distorted recollections in response to memory gaps, can also manifest due to cognitive impairment. It reflects the brain's attempts to fill in blanks and can be a response to neurological changes resulting from the stroke. Together, these behaviors suggest a meaningful shift in personality, often linked to emotional and cognitive processing challenges that can occur in the aftermath of a stroke.

In contrast, heightened empathy, improved organizational skills, and increased job performance would indicate positive changes rather than potential issues related to personality. These traits are often seen as improvements or more adaptive coping strategies, which may not reflect the difficulties someone might face in their personality following a significant neurological event like a stroke.