Chapter 69: Management of Patients with Autoimmune disorders RV
A nurse is assisting with a neurological examination of a client who reports a headache in the occipital area and shows signs of ataxia and nystagmus. Which of the following conditions is the most likely reason for the client's problems?
Cerebellar abscess
Which of the following is the first-line therapy for myasthenia gravis (MG)?
Pyridostigmine bromide (Mestinon)
A client with respiratory complications of multiple sclerosis (MS) is admitted to the medical-surgical unit. Which equipment is most important for the nurse to keep at the client's bedside?
Suction machine with catheters -MS weakens the respiratory muscles & impairs swallowing --> risk for aspiration
Which cerebral lobe contains the auditory receptive areas?
Temporal
Which of the following tests confirms the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis (MG)?
Tension test
If a client has a lower motor neuron lesion, the nurse would expect the client to exhibit
Decreased muscle tone -patient with upper motor neuron lesions have: hyperactive reflexes, no muscle atrophy, muscle spasticity
The nurse is assessing a client newly diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. Which of the following signs would the nurse most likely observe?
Diplopia and ptosis -initial manifestation of MG: involves ocular muscles
The nurse is preparing the client for an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor test to rule out myasthenia gravis. Which is the priority nursing action?
Ensure atropine is readily available. -atropine to control the Res of medication
A nurse is preparing a client for lumbar puncture. The client has heard about post-lumbar puncture headaches and asks how to avoid having one. The nurse tells the client that these headches can be avoided by doing which of the following after the procedure?
Remain prone for 2 to 3 hours
A patient with myasthenia gravis is in the hospital for treatment of pneumonia. The patient informs the nurse that it is very important to take pyridostigmine bromide (Mestinon) on time. The nurse gets busy and does not administer the medication until after breakfast. What outcome will the patient have related to this late dose?
The muscles will become fatigued and the patient will not be able to chew food or swallow pills. -pyridostigmine= anti cholinesterase medication --> stabilize muscle strength delay= exacerbate muscle weakness
The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is based on which test?
Magnetic resonance imaging
The initial sign of increasing intracranial pressure (ICP) includes
decreased LOC
The nurse has completed evaluating the client's cranial nerves. The nurse documents impairment of the right cervical nerves (CN IX and CN X). Based on these findings, the nurse should instruct the client to
refrain from eating or drinking for now
A nurse is teaching a client with multiple sclerosis (MS). When teaching the client how to reduce fatigue, the nurse should tell the client to:
rest in an air-conditioned room
A client who recently experienced a stroke tells the nurse that he has double vision. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
Alternatively patch one eye every 2 hours
The nurse is caring for a client immediately after supratentorial intracranial surgery. The nurse performs the appropriate action by placing the patient in the
supine position with the head slightly elevated
When the nurse observes that the patient has extension and external rotation of the arms and wrists, and extension, plantar flexion, and internal rotation of the feet, she records the patient's posturing as which of the following?
Decerebrate
The brain stem holds the medulla oblongata. What is the function of the medulla oblongata?
Transmits motor impulses from the brain to the spinal cord
Which of the following is accurate regarding a hemorrhagic stroke?
Main presenting symptom is an "exploding headache"
A client is experiencing muscle weakness and an ataxic gait. The client has a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Based on these symptoms, the nurse formulates "Impaired physical mobility" as one of the nursing diagnoses applicable to the client. What nursing intervention should be most appropriate to address the nursing diagnosis?
Help the client perform ROM exercises every 8 hours
The nurse is caring for a client admitted with a stroke. Imaging studies indicate an embolus partially obstructing the right carotid artery. What type of stroke does the nurse know this client has?
Ischemic
A client reports light-headedness, speech disturbance, and left-sided weakness that have lasted for several hours. In the examination, an abnormal sound is auscultated in an artery leading to the brain. What is the term for the auscultated discovery?
bruit
The physician's office nurse is caring for a client who has a history of a cerebral aneurysm. Which diagnostic test does the nurse anticipate to monitor the status of the aneurysm?
cerebral angiography
A client is suspected to have bacterial meningitis. What is the priority nursing intervention?
Administer prescribed antibiotics
Which medication classification is used preoperatively to decrease the risk of postoperative seizures?
Anticonvulsants
Which occurs when reflexes are hyperactive when the foot is abruptly dorsiflexed?
Clonus
Which is often the most disabling clinical manifestation of multiple sclerosis?
Fatigue
A client recently experienced a stroke with accompanying left-sided paralysis. His family voices concerns about how to best interact with him. They report the client doesn't seem aware of their presence when they approach him on his left side. What advice should the nurse give the family?
The client is unaware of his left side. You should approach him on the right side.
A client's spouse relates how the client reported a severe headache, and shortly after was unable to talk or move their right arm and leg. The spouse indicates the client has hypertension. What should be the focus of management during this phase?
preventing further neurologic damage
The nurse is taking health history from a client admitted to rule out Guillain-Barre syndrome. An important question to ask related to the diagnosis is which of the following?
"Have you experienced any viral infections in the last month?"
The nurse is taking health history from a client admitted to rule out Guillain-Barre syndrome. An important question to ask related to the diagnosis is which of the following?
"Have you experienced any viral infections in the last month?" -*antecedent event (often viral infection) precipitates clinical presentation & usually occurs 2 weeks before symptoms begin. -Ptosis= common sx with myasthenia graves
The nurse has been educating a client newly diagnosed with MS. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the education?
"I will stretch daily as directed by the physical therapist"
A client with Guillain-Barré syndrome has paralysis affecting the respiratory muscles and requires mechanical ventilation. When the client asks the nurse about the paralysis, how should the nurse respond?
"The paralysis caused by this disease is temporary"
The parents of a client intubated due to the progression of Guillain-Barré syndrome ask whether their child will die. What is the best response by the nurse?
"There are no guarantees, but a large portion of people with Guillain-Barre syndrome survive"
A client is newly diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Which instruction should the nurse provide?
"You must avoid stress and extreme fatigue, because these can trigger a relapse"
The client with a cerebral aneurysm asks the nurse, "What's the big fuss over a headache?" Which is the best response from the nurse regarding to a cerebral aneurysm?
"Your physician wants to evaluate the location and condition of the aneurysm"
At a certain point, the brain's ability to autoregulate becomes ineffective and decompensation (ischemia and infarction) begins. Which of the following are associated with Cushing's triad? Select all that apply.
-Bradycardia -Hypertension -Bradypnea
A community health nurse is conducting a workshop for unlicensed care providers who work in a chain of long-term care facilities. The nurse is teaching the participants about the signs and symptoms of stroke. What signs and symptoms should the nurse identify? Select all that apply.
-Confusion -Sudden numbness -Visual disturbances
A nurse is assisting with a community screening for people at high risk for stroke. To which of the following clients would the nurse pay most attention?
A 60 year old African American man
A client has been hospitalized for diagnostic testing. The client has just been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which the physician explains is an autoimmune disorder. How would the nurse explain an autoimmune disease to the client?
A disorder in which killer T cells and autoantibodies attack or destroy natural cells- those cells that are "self"
A client has a neurological defect and will be transferred to a nursing home because family members are unable to care for the client at home. While receiving a bed bath, the client yells at the nurse, "You don't know what you are doing!" What is the best reaction by the nurse?
Accept the patient's behavior and do not take it personally.
Myasthenia gravis occurs when antibodies attack which receptor sites?
Acetylcholine
During a Tensilon test to determine if a patient has myasthenia gravis, the patient complains of cramping and becomes diaphoretic. Vital signs are BP 130/78, HR 42, and respiration 18. What intervention should the nurse prepare to do?
Administer atropine to control the SE of edrophonium
The school nurse notes a 6-year-old running across the playground with his friends. The child stops in midstride, freezing for a few seconds. Then the child resumes his progress across the playground. The school nurse suspects what in this child?
An absence seizure -more common in children -brief loss of consciousness; physical activity ceases -sx: stares blankly, eyelids flutter, lips move, slight movement of head/arm/legs, for a few seconds
A client with myasthenia gravis is admitted with an exacerbation. The nurse is educating the client about plasmapherisis and explains this in which of the following statements?
Antibodies are removed from the plasma
Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a client with double vision in the right eye due to MS?
Apply an eye patch to the right eye.
The nurse is advising a client with multiple sclerosis on methods to minimize spasticity and contractures. Which of the following techniques would the nurse instruct the client to perform?
Apply warm packs to the affected area.
Which positions is used to help reduce intracranial pressure (ICP)?
Avoiding flexion of the neck with use of a cervical collar
The nurse is performing an assessment of cranial nerve function and asks the patient to cover one nostril at a time to see if the patient can smell coffee, alcohol, and mint. The patient is unable to smell any of the odors. The nurse is aware that the patient has a dysfunction of which cranial nerve?
CN I
The nurse obtains a Snellen eye chart when assessing cranial nerve function. Which cranial nerve is the nurse testing when using the chart?
CN II
The nurse is assessing the pupils of a patient who has had a head injury. What does the nurse recognize as a parasympathetic effect?
Constricted pupils
A patient is being tested for a gag reflex. When the nurse places the tongue blade to the back of the throat, there is no response elicited. What dysfunction does the nurse determine the patient has?
Dysfunction of the vagus nerve (CN X)
A client arrives at the emergency department complaining of extreme muscle weakness after minimal effort. The physician suspects myasthenia gravis. Which drug will be used to test for this disease?
Edrophonium (Tensilon)
A client is undergoing testing to confirm a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. The nurse explains that a diagnosis is made if muscle function improves after the client receives an IV injection of a medication. What is the medication the nurse tells the client he'll receive during this test?
Edrophonium (Tension) -with MG, demonstrate a marked improvement in muscle tone that lasts about 4 to 5 minutes
Bell palsy is a disorder of which cranial nerve?
Facial (VII)
The nurse is performing an initial assessment on a client with suspected Bell's palsy. Which of the following findings would the nurse be most focused on related to this medical diagnosis?
Facial distortion and pain
While performing an initial nursing assessment on a client admitted with suspected tic douloureux (trigeminal neuralgia), for which of the following would the nurse expect to observe?
Facial pain in the areas of the fifth cranial nerve
Cranial nerve IX is also known as which of the following?
Glossopharyngeal
The nurse is assessing a client with meningitis. Which of the following signs would the nurse expect to observe?
Headache and nuchal rigidity -hyporeflexia= Guillain-Barre syndrome -Ptosis & diplopia = myasthenia gravis
The nurse is performing an initial assessment on a client admitted with a possible brain abscess. Which of the following would the nurse most likely find?
Headache that is worse in the morning
Which terms refers to blindness in the right or left half of the visual field in both eyes?
Homonymous hemianopsia
A client's spouse relates how the client reported a severe headache and then was unable to talk or move their right arm and leg. After diagnostics are completed and the client is admitted to the hospital, when would basic rehabilitation begin?
Immediately
The nurse is planning care of a client admitted to the neurologic rehabilitation unit following a cerebrovascular accident. Which nursing intervention would be of highest priority?
Include client in planning of care and setting of goals
The nurse is caring for a client with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Which assessment finding would indicate the need for oral suctioning?
Increased pulse rate, adventitious breath sounds
A client has been diagnosed with a frontal lobe brain abscess. Which nursing intervention is appropriate?
Initiate seizure precautions.
A patient with epilepsy is having a seizure. Which of the following should the nurse do after the seizure?
Keep the patient to one side
What clinical manifestations does the nurse recognize when a patient has had a right hemispheric stroke?
Left visual field deficit -Left hemispheric stroke --> aphasia, slow & cautious behavior, altered intellectual ability
What does the nurse recognize as the earliest sign of serious impairment of brain circulation related to increasing ICP?
Lethargy and stupor
A client with weakness and tingling in both legs is admitted to the medical-surgical unit with a tentative diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. On admission, which assessment is most important for this client?
Lung auscultation and measurement of vital capacity and tidal volume
The Family Nurse Practitioner is performing the physical examination of a client with a suspected neurologic disorder. In addition to assessing other parts of the body, the nurse should assess for neck rigidity. Which method should help the nurse assess for neck rigidity correctly?
Moving the head and chin toward the chest
Which is a chronic, degenerative, progressive disease of the central nervous system characterized by the occurrence of small patches of demyelination in the brain and spinal cord?
Multiple sclerosis
Which is a chronic, degenerative, progressive disease of the central nervous system characterized by the occurrence of demyelination in the brain and spinal cord?
Multiple sclerosis -cause of MS: unknown, twice more common in women
Which of the following is considered a central nervous system (CNS) disorder?
Multiple sclerosis :immune-mediated, progressive demyelinating disease of the CNS -Guillain Barre, myasthenia gravis, Bell's palsy= peripheral nervous system d/o
The nurse is performing an initial nursing assessment on a client with possible Guillain-Barre syndrome. Which of the following findings would be most consistent with this diagnosis?
Muscle weakness and hyporeflexia of the lower extremities
The most common cause of cholinergic crisis includes which of the following?
Overmedication --> muscle weakness, respiratory impairment, excessive pulmonary secretion -Myasthenic crisis: sudden, temporary exacerbation of MG; common precipitating event= infection
A client in a long-term nursing facility has severe dysphagia. Which of the following would best assist this client in preventing further complications?
Placement of a feeding tube
Which basic of client care, occurring during the acute phase, is most helpful in promoting the rehabilitation of a client following a debilitating cerebrovascular accident?
Prevention of joint contractors
The nurse is performing an initial assessment on a client who is admitted to rule out myasthenia gravis. Which of the following findings would the nurse expect to observe?
Ptosis and diplopia
The nurse is performing an initial assessment on a client who is admitted to rule out myasthenia gravis. Which of the following findings would the nurse expect to observe?
Ptosis and diplopia -initial manifestation of MG: involves ocular muscles -GB syndrome: muscle weakness & hyporeflexia
The nurse practitioner is able to correlate a patient's neurologic deficits with the location in the brain affected by ischemia or hemorrhage. For a patient with a left hemispheric stroke, the nurse would expect to see:
Right sided paralysis
Following a generalized seizure in a client, which nursing assessment is a priority for detailing the event?
Seizure was 1 minute in duration including tonic-clonic activity *describing length & progression of seizure= priority
An emergency department nurse is interviewing a client with signs of an ischemic stroke that began 2 hours ago. The client reports that she had a cholecystectomy 6 weeks ago and is taking digoxin, coumadin, and labetelol. This client is not eligible for thrombolytic therapy for which of the following reasons?
She is taking coumadin
Guillain-Barré syndrome is an autoimmune attack on the peripheral myelin sheath. Which of the following is an action of myelin?
Speeds nerve impulse transmission -myelin: complex substance covering nerves -axon: carries message to the next nerve cell -neuron: building block of nervous system -neurotransmitter: chemical messenger
The nurse is assisting with administering a Tensilon test to a patient with ptosis. If the test is positive for myasthenia gravis, what outcome does the nurse know will occur?
Thirty seconds after administration, the facial weakness and ptosis will be relieved for approximately 5 minutes.
A nurse is teaching a community class that those experiencing symptoms of ischemic stroke need to enter the medical system early. The primary reason for this is which of the following?
Thrombolytic therapy has a time window of only 3 hours.
A 45-year-old client is admitted to the facility with excruciating paroxysmal facial pain. He reports that the episodes occur most often after feeling cold drafts and drinking cold beverages. Based on these findings, the nurse determines that the client is most likely suffering from which neurologic disorder?
Trigeminal neuralgia (CN V)
The nurse who is employed in a neurologist's office is performing a history and assessment on a client experiencing hearing difficulty. The nurse is most correct to gather equipment to assess the function of cranial nerve:
VIII
A client with a neurologic impairment reports having problems with constipation. Which foods might the nurse recommend?
Vegetables
When completing a neurologic examination on a client, which question is most essential to evaluate the accuracy of the data?
When, if any, was your last narcotic use? *when assessing, essential to c heck the use of morphine, heroin, narcotic, CNS depressant
A neurologic deficit is best defined as a defecit of the:
central and peripheral nervous systems with decreased, impaired, or absent functioning
While caring for clients who have suffered neurologic deficits from causes such as cerebrovascular accident and closed head injury, an important nursing goal that motivate nurses to offer the best care possible is preventing:
complications
Lower motor neuron lesions cause
flaccid muscles
A client's spouse relates how the client reported a severe headache and then was unable to talk or move their right arm and leg. After diagnostics are completed and the client is admitted to the hospital, when would basic rehabilitation begin?
immediately
To meet the sensory needs of a client with viral meningitis, the nurse should:
minimize exposure to bright lights and noise
A nurse is assessing a client who has been in a motor vehicle collision. The client directly and accurately answers questions. The nurse notes a contusion to the client's forehead; the client reports a headache. Assessing the client's pupils, what reaction would confirm increasing intracranial pressure?
unequal response
The nurse is caring for a patient in the emergency department with an onset of pain related to trigeminal neuralgia. What subjective data stated by the patient does the nurse determine triggered the paroxysms of pain?
"I was brushing my teeth" -paroxysms from: 1) washing the face 2) shaving 3) brushing teeth, eating, drinking
A nurse who provides care at a community clinic is in contact with a diverse group of patients. Which of the following individuals most clearly displays risk factors for stroke?
An obese woman with a history of atrial fibrillation and type 2 diabetes -risk factors for stroke: obesity, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome. His spouse asks about recovery rates. The nurse can correctly relate which of the following?
Approximately 60~75% of clients recover completely.
The nurse is caring for a patient with GBS in the intensive care unit and is assessing the patient for autonomic dysfunction. What interventions should be provided in order to determine the presence of autonomic dysfunction?
Assess the blood pressure and heart rate
Which nursing intervention is the priority for a client in myasthenic crisis?
Assessing respiratory effort -myasthenic crisis--> severe muscle weakness = lead to respiratory failure & death
A client has been diagnosed as having global aphasia. The nurse recognizes that the client will be unable to do perform which action?
Form understandable words & comprehend spoken words
During assessment of cognitive impairment, post-stroke, the nurse documents that the patient was experiencing memory loss and impaired learning capacity. The nurse knows that brain damage has most likely occurred in which lobe?
Frontal
A nurse is providing education to a community group about ischemic strokes. One group member asks if there are ways to reduce the risk for stroke. Which of the following is a risk factor that can be modified?
Hypertension
A patient arrives to have an MRI done in the outpatient department. What information provided by the patient warrants further assessment to prevent complications related to the MRI?
I am trying to quit smoking and have a patch on
The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is based on which test?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A client is being admitted to a rehabilitation hospital as a result of the tetraplegia caused a stroke. The client's condition is stable, and after admission the client will begin physical and psychological therapy. An important part of nursing management is to reposition the client every 2 hours. What is the rationale behind this intervention?
Maintain sufficient integument capillary pressure
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with a hemorrhagic stroke. The nurse recognizes that which intervention is most important?
Maintaining a patent airway
A patient is brought to the emergency department with a possible stroke. What initial diagnostic test for a stroke, usually performed in the emergency department, would the nurse prepare the patient for?
Non-contrast computed tomogram (CT scan) --> determine if event is ischemic or hemorrhagic
The nurse is performing an initial assessment on a client admitted to rule out Guillain-Barre syndrome. On which of the following areas will the nurse focus most heavily?
Respiratory
A nurse in a rehabilitation facility is coordinating the discharge of a client who is tetraplegic. The client, who is married and has two children in high school, is being discharged to home and will require much assistance. Who would the discharge planner recognize as being the most important member of this client's care team?
Spouse
Which condition occurs when blood collects between the dura mater and arachnoid membrane?
Subdural hematoma
A patient comes to the emergency department with severe pain in the face that was stimulated by brushing the teeth. What cranial nerve does the nurse understand can cause this type of pain?
CN V (trigeminal)
The nurse is assessing the throat of a client with throat pain. In asking the client to stick out the tongue, the nurse is also assessing which cranial nerve?
CN XII --> movement of the tongue
The nurse is caring for a patient with an altered LOC. What is the first priority of treatment for this patient?
Maintenance of a patent airway.
A client is brought to the emergency department in a confused state, with slurred speech, characteristics of a headache, and right facial droop. The vital signs reveal a blood pressure of 170/88 mm Hg, pulse of 92 beats/minute, and respirations at 24 breaths/minute. On which bodily system does the nurse focus the nursing assessment?
Neurovascular system
The nurse plays a critical role in the initial work-up of a patient with acute stroke symptoms. An immediate decision is to determine if the stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic. Although there is overlap in some motor, sensory, and cognitive changes, hemorrhagic strokes can be identified by some specific signs. Which of the following signs are consistent with a hemorrhagic stroke? Select all that apply.
-Sudden, severe headache -Vomiting -Seizures -both hemorrhagic + ischemic stroke: numbness/weakness of extremity, altered LOC, loss of balance
A patient with Bell's palsy says to the nurse, "It doesn't hurt anymore to touch my face. How am I going to get muscle tone back so I don't look like this anymore?" What interventions can the nurse suggest to the patient?
Suggest massaging the face several times daily, using a gentle upward motion, to maintain muscle tone
The nurse is caring for a patient with MS who is having spasticity in the lower extremities that decreases physical mobility. What interventions can the nurse provide to assist with relieving the spasms? Select all that apply.
-Demonstrate daily muscle stretching exercises -allow the patient adequate time to perform exercises -apply warm compresses to the affected areas
The nurse obtains a Snellen eye chart when assessing cranial nerve function. Which cranial nerve is the nurse testing when using the chart?
CN II (optic nerve)
