Question 1

A patient diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) 11 years ago is being cared for at home by the spouse. The nurse asks whether the family has considered arranging for in-home assistive care, based primarily on which knowledge?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD)...

Question 2

The nurse is providing care to a patient with mysasthenia gravis (MG). The nurse would plan this care based on which characteristics of the disease?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A) Immunotherapy is often prescribed to manage the autoimmune nature of MG.
C) Visual problems are often an early symptom of MG due to muscle weakness in the eye muscles.
D) Cholinesterase inhibitors are commonly used in the initial drug treatment of MG to improve muscle strength.
E) Ptosis, or drooping eyelids, can occur unilaterally or bilaterally in MG. Exercise, on the other hand, can actually worsen muscle weakness in MG patients.

Question 3

The nurse explains to a patient who has been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG) that this condition differs from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in that MG has which characteristics?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A) Incorrect. MG is a chronic condition that can be managed with treatment and does not usually result in death. 
B) Correct. MG presents with shorter remissions as the disease progresses, unlike ALS which has a progressive decline in muscle function. 
C) Correct. MG onset is often between 20 and 40 years of age, and it is more common in women. 
D) Correct. Patients with MG often experience an increase in symptoms when exposed to sunlight, viral illness, and emotional stress. 
E) Incorrect. Involuntary twitching of muscles is not a common symptom of MG.

Question 4

The nurse is conducting an informative session about Alzheimer's disease (AD) for a local civic group. The nurse shows an understanding of the disorder by providing which information?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disorder that starts by affecting a person's memory and progresses toward the loss of reasoning abilities. It is not caused by a lack of a brain chemical or by the person's immune system attacking the body. While the central nervous system is affected in AD, this does not result in a loss of communication and motor skills, as these are typically more affected in other neurological disorders.

Question 5

The nurse is preparing a patient diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for discharge. The nurse realizes that interventions for which nursing diagnosis should be priority for this patient?

Accepted Answer

ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that primarily affects the motor neurons responsible for voluntary muscle movement. This leads to muscle weakness and eventual respiratory failure, making Ineffective Breathing Pattern priority nursing diagnosis for this patient. Impaired Urinary Elimination, Disturbed Thought Processes, and Alteration in Vision Acuity may also be present, but they are not as critical to the patient's immediate survival as the respiratory status.

Question 6

The nurse is discussing the future with a patient recently diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The patient asks about the possibility of continuing to work at the family's construction business. How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is discussing the future with...

Question 7

The nurse is assessing a patient who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and documents that he is demonstrating bradykinesia. The nurse bases this on which observation?

Accepted Answer

Bradykinesia is a hallmark symptom of Parkinson's disease and refers to slow movement. Difficulty initiating movement, such as initiating a walk to the bathroom, is a typical manifestation of bradykinesia. Sloshing coffee out of a cup may be a result of tremors, while maintaining balance by holding onto furniture may indicate balance impairment. Moist skin and damp clothing may be indicative of excessive sweating, which can be a symptom of Parkinson's disease, but is not specifically related to bradykinesia.

Question 8

The nurse is providing community education about Parkinson's disease (PD) symptomology. Which information would the nurse include in this discussion?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

These symptoms are commonly associated with Parkinson's disease and are important for the community to be aware of to recognize the signs of PD and seek medical attention. However, drooping of the eyelids (choice E) is not commonly associated with PD, so this option would be excluded.

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). What is the nurse's primary focus of care?

Accepted Answer

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that leads to muscle weakness and atrophy. As the disease progresses, patients become unable to swallow, speak, and breathe due to the failure of the muscles responsible for these functions. Therefore, the nurse's primary focus of care is respiratory support to ensure adequate oxygenation and managing secretions to prevent aspiration. Pain management and ROM exercises may be important, but they are not the primary focus of care for ALS. Administering immunosuppressants is not indicated for ALS. Gastrostomy feedings may be necessary when the patient is unable to swallow, but it is not the primary focus of care.

Question 10

When interviewing a patient suspected of exhibiting signs of Parkinson's disease, the nurse shows an understanding of the disease's etiology by asking which question?

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease has a significant genetic component, so a family history of similar symptoms can be an important risk factor. The other options are not directly related to Parkinson's disease's etiology.

Question 11

When providing education for a patient newly diagnosed with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the family, the nurse identifies which actions as signs that the disease is progressing in severity?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A patient with mild AD may experience difficulty with activities of daily living such as cooking or managing household appliances, as evidenced by allowing pots of water to boil dry (A). Difficulty with visual-spatial perception, such as reading and interpreting a newspaper, is also a sign of mild AD (B). While persons with AD may recognize that they know someone, they may not be able to remember the person's name or the relationship, triggering agitation (C). While obsessive behavior (D) is not uncommon in persons with AD, it is not necessarily an indicator of disease progression. Increased appetite, especially for carbohydrates (E), is not a significant sign of AD progression.

Question 12

During discharge planning, a nurse encourages a patient diagnosed with multiple sclerosis to engage in a regular exercise program. This recommendation is based on the knowledge that exercise will help the patient manage which problems associated with the disease?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Exercise can help manage muscle spasticity by improving flexibility and strength, alleviate constipation by promoting bowel regularity, and reduce fatigue by increasing overall energy levels and endurance.

Quiz 23: Caring for the Patient With Chronic and Degenerative Neurological Disorders