Question 1

A patient with MS has been prescribed baclofen to relax muscles. Which information is included in the nurse's teaching about this drug? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Baclofen can cause respiratory depression, so patients should report any respiratory problems. It may also impair the ability to drive or operate machinery, so caution is advised until the individual knows how the drug affects them. Additionally, baclofen can lead to constipation, so increasing fluid and fiber intake and using suppositories if necessary are recommended.

Question 2

A mother of three young children has a 3-year history of MG and recently stopped helping in the children's classrooms because of fatigue. Which advice does the nurse give to help the patient best cope with the problem?

Accepted Answer

Timing medication to peak when energy is needed most can help manage symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis, allowing the patient to perform activities with less fatigue.

Question 3

The nurse is providing care for a patient being treated for trigeminal neuropathy. The nurse is concerned about the patient's nutritional status because of an inability to eat without experiencing severe pain. Which patient behavior indicates the nurse's interventions are successful?

Accepted Answer

The ability to eat multiple small, soft, lukewarm meals daily indicates that the nurse's interventions are successful because it shows the patient is able to consume food regularly without exacerbating their condition, thus improving their nutritional status.

Question 4

The nurse is providing care for a patient after surgery for treatment of trigeminal neuropathy. Which nursing intervention will the nurse initiate for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Checking the eye on the surgery side for corneal sensation is a nursing intervention that will be initiated for a patient after surgery for treatment of trigeminal neuropathy.

Question 5

A patient with trigeminal neuralgia is admitted to the hospital for diagnostic testing and possible surgery. Which intervention is appropriate for this patient?

Accepted Answer

For a patient with trigeminal neuralgia, providing soft foods at body temperature can help minimize pain during eating, as this condition causes severe facial pain triggered by chewing, speaking, or other facial movements.

Question 6

A patient is scheduled for a thymectomy. For which peripheral nervous system disorder does the nurse plan care for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Thymectomy is a surgical procedure often performed for patients with Myasthenia Gravis (MG), a disorder characterized by weakness and rapid fatigue of any of the muscles under voluntary control. It is associated with the thymus gland, which may contain abnormal tissue contributing to the disorder.

Question 7

A patient who is prescribed neostigmine for newly diagnosed MG asks how the medication works. Which response does the nurse provide to the patient?

Accepted Answer

Neostigmine works by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft. By inhibiting this enzyme, neostigmine increases the amount of acetylcholine available at the neuromuscular junction, thereby improving muscle contraction in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).

Question 8

The nurse is collecting information from a patient in the HCP's office. The patient is exhibiting symptoms associated with Bell palsy. Which population group does the nurse recognize as being at greatest risk for the condition?

Accepted Answer

Women in the third trimester of pregnancy are at a greater risk for Bell's palsy due to hormonal and immunological changes that occur during pregnancy, which can increase susceptibility to viral infections believed to trigger the condition.

Question 9

A patient reports to the nurse an inability to rest or sleep due to a long-term condition causing a constant urge to move the legs called restless legs syndrome (RLS). The patient expresses a need for some type of relief. Which suggestion by the nurse is most likely to help the patient?

Accepted Answer

Pramipexole or ropinrole medication therapy is the most likely to help the patient with restless legs syndrome (RLS). These medications work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain, which can help to reduce the urge to move the legs.

Question 10

A patient diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) asks how the disease developed since the patient rarely has an illness. Which nursing response is the most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is often associated with an autoimmune response to a preceding viral or bacterial infection. The body's immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves, leading to the symptoms of GBS. This explanation aligns with current understanding of the disease's etiology.

Question 11

The nurse is caring for a patient experiencing an acute exacerbation of multiple sclerosis (MS). Which pathophysiological change does the nurse recognize as causing the manifestations of MS?

Accepted Answer

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by the demyelination and destruction of nerve fibers in the central nervous system, which disrupts the normal flow of electrical impulses along the nerves, leading to the symptoms of MS.

Question 12

The nurse is collecting data from a patient who is diagnosed with MG. Which data is most important for the nurse to obtain?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring the patient's respiratory function and the ability to swallow effectively is crucial in managing Myasthenia Gravis (MG) due to the risk of respiratory failure and aspiration, which are potentially life-threatening complications.

Question 13

The nurse is teaching a patient with MG how to recognize a cholinergic crisis. Which manifestations does the nurse include in this teaching? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is teaching a patient with...

Question 14

The nurse is assisting with the care of a patient diagnosed with postpolio syndrome. The nurse asks the registered nurse (RN) to explain the source of the disease. Which answer by the RN is correct?

Accepted Answer

Postpolio syndrome occurs in individuals who have previously had a poliovirus infection, often years after recovery.

Question 15

The nurse is preparing a patient with MG to undergo plasmapheresis. Which laboratory tests does the nurse verify and place on the medical record before the procedure?

Accepted Answer

Plasmapheresis can affect blood clotting, so it is important to verify complete blood count, platelets, and clotting studies to ensure the patient can safely undergo the procedure.

Question 16

A patient in the plateau stage of GBS is frustrated because there has been no improvement in manifestations for 5 days. Which explanation does the nurse provide to the patient?

Accepted Answer

The manifestations of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) can last up to 2 weeks in the plateau stage.

Question 17

The nurse is visiting the home of a patient who is being treated for Bell palsy. Which statement by the patient indicates that care instructions need to be reviewed by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Alternating heat and cold therapy is not typically recommended for Bell palsy, as it does not involve swelling that would benefit from such treatment.

Question 18

The nurse reviews information with a patient and family members about the patient's recent diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Which comment by a family member indicates a need for clarification?

Accepted Answer

DALS primarily affects the motor neurons and does not directly impact the heart muscle. The statement about the heart muscle being affected indicates a misunderstanding, as ALS typically leads to respiratory failure rather than heart failure. Additionally, while familial ALS accounts for a small percentage of cases, the statement about researching familial risk suggests a need for clarification on the genetic aspects of ALS, as most cases are sporadic and not inherited.

Question 19

The nurse is collecting up-to-date data from a patient who was diagnosed with MS 15 years ago. The patient has a good understanding of the disease and manages to maintain a relatively high level of functioning. Which statement by the patient prompts the nurse to seek additional information?

Accepted Answer

The statement about working in flower beds during the summer months prompts further inquiry because heat can exacerbate MS symptoms, and it's important to understand how the patient manages heat exposure.

Question 20

The nurse is assisting with care of patients diagnosed with neuromuscular disorders. Which complication does the nurse recognize as a medical emergency?

Accepted Answer

Indications of the development of pneumonia in patients with neuromuscular disorders are considered a medical emergency because these patients are at a higher risk for respiratory complications due to weakened respiratory muscles. This can lead to difficulty clearing secretions and an increased risk of aspiration, making pneumonia potentially life-threatening.

Quiz 50: Nursing Care of Patients With Peripheral Nervous System Disorders