Deck 37: Degenerative Neurological Dysfunction: Nursing Management

Question 1

The nurse is planning care for a client diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. Which of the following should be included in this client's plan of care? (Select all that apply.)

A) Monitor activities frequently and assist as needed.
B) Encourage progressive increase in activities.
C) Determine the best communication method.
D) Monitor weight.
E) Restrict fluids.
F) Instruct in energy conservation measures.

Answer 1

Monitor activities frequently and assist as needed.
Determine the best communication method.
Monitor weight.
Instruct in energy conservation measures.

Question 2

A client is prescribed phenytoin (Dilantin) for a seizure disorder. Which of the following would indicate that the client is adhering to the medication schedule?

A) The client is sleepy.
B) The client is not experiencing seizures.
C) The client no longer has headaches.
D) The client is eating more food.

Answer 2

The client is not experiencing seizures.

Question 3

An adult female in her 30s complains of numbness and tingling in the hands, fatigue, loss of coordination, incontinence, nystagmus, and ataxia. Which of the following health problems do these symptoms suggest to the nurse?

A) Brain tumor
B) Myasthenia gravis
C) Multiple sclerosis
D) Diabetes

Answer 3

Multiple sclerosis

Question 4

The nurse is instructing a client and family regarding the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Which of the following should be included in this teaching? (Select all that apply.)

A) The length of the curative treatment
B) That exercise and physical therapy can help the patient maximize function
C) The physical, emotional, and social aspects of the disease
D) End-of-life issues
E) The use of devices to prevent aspiration pneumonia
F) The use of a speech therapist to aid with communication

Question 5

A client tells the nurse that he sees flashing lights that occur prior to the onset of a seizure. Which of the following phases of a seizure is this client describing to the nurse?

A) Prodromal phase
B) Aural phase
C) Ictal phase
D) Postictal phase

Question 6

The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with Huntington's disease. Which of the following are considered hallmark clinical manifestations of this disorder? (Select all that apply.)

A) Intellectual decline
B) Weight loss
C) Decreased appetite
D) Reduced blood pressure
E) Nausea
F) Abnormal movements

Question 7

For a client diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which of the following might be contraindicated?

A) Performing range-of-motion exercises
B) Drinking bottled water
C) Instituting fall precautions
D) Taking naps

Question 8

A client is diagnosed with seizures occurring because of hepatic encephalopathy. The nurse realizes that the cause for this client's seizures would be:

A) physiological.
B) iatrogenic.
C) idiopathic.
D) psychokinetic.

Question 9

The nurse is instructing a client newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). To determine the effectiveness of his teaching, the nurse would expect the client to state:

A) "It is best for me to be in a cold environment."
B) "I should avoid taking a hot bath."
C) "I should eat foods low in salt."
D) "I should be better in a week."

Question 10

A client presents complaining of abnormal muscle weakness and fatigability. The physician suspects myasthenia gravis. Which drug can be used to test for this disease?

A) Pyridostigmine (Mestinon)
B) Neostigmine (Prostigmin)
C) Ambenonium (Mytelase)
D) Edrophonium (Tensilon)

Question 11

A client is experiencing a grand mal seizure. Which of the following should the nurse do during this seizure?

A) Protect the client's head.
B) Leave the client alone.
C) Give water to the client to avoid dehydration.
D) Place a finger in the client's mouth to avoid swallowing the tongue.

Question 12

The nurse should instruct a client diagnosed with migraine headaches to be careful not to overdose on acetaminophen (Tylenol). Which drug should the nurse tell the patient to avoid?

A) Aleve
B) Aspirin
C) Ibuprofen
D) Vicodin

Question 13

A client diagnosed with Parkinson's disease is beginning medication therapy. The nurse realizes that the goal of treatment for Parkinson's disease is to:

A) improve sleep.
B) reduce appetite.
C) control tremor and rigidity.
D) reduce the need for joint replacement surgery.

Question 14

A client is diagnosed with a headache from a secondary cause. The nurse realizes this type of headache can be caused by:

A) a tumor.
B) tension.
C) a migraine.
D) cluster

Question 15

A client is diagnosed with tonic-clonic seizures. Which are the characteristics of these types of seizures? (Select all that apply.)

A) Progressing through all of the seizure phases
B) Beginning before age 5
C) Lasting 2 to 3 minutes
D) Causing injury to the client
E) Occurring at any time, day or night
F) Being highly variable

Question 16

One of the most important things a nurse can teach a client about seizure control is to:

A) take the medication every day as prescribed by the doctor.
B) eat a balanced diet.
C) get lots of exercise.
D) take naps during the day.

Question 17

The nurse is unable to insert an intravenous access line into a client who is currently experiencing a seizure. Which of the following routes can the nurse use to provide medication to the client at this time?

A) Oral
B) Intranasal
C) Rectal
D) Intramuscular

Question 18

Which of the following nursing interventions would be appropriate for a client diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease? (Select all that apply.)

A) Make changes to the room often to stimulate memory function.
B) Assign simple tasks to be completed by the client.
C) Assist the client with any needs associated with activities of daily living (ADLs).
D) Have personal/familiar items around the client.
E) Do complex games and puzzles to improve memory.

Question 19

A client has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Which of the following will the nurse most likely assess in this client? (Select all that apply.)

A) Tremor
B) Muscle rigidity
C) Akinesia
D) Mask-like face
E) Dysphagia
F) Reduced appetite