Pathophysiology Chapter 15

A client has just been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). The nurse recognizes that the client's condition is a result of:

An immune-mediated response that is caused by the demyelinization of the myelin sheath of the white matter of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve

Approximately 6 months after a spinal cord injury, a 29-year-old man has an episode of autonomic dysreflexia. What are the characteristics of autonomic dysreflexia? Select all that apply.

BP 200/112 Cool, pale skin Gooseflesh noted on extremities

An older adult has had a recent decrease in coordination, with gait being described as wide-based, unsteady, and lacking in fluidity, although the client's muscle tone appears normal. This client requires further assessment for which condition that is involved with coordination of movement?

Cerebellar disorder

The demyelination and degeneration of nerve fibers characteristic of multiple sclerosis (MS) is the result of which pathophysiologic event?

Decreased oligodendrocytes

Which statement best describes the pathophysiology of Parkinson disease?

Degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopamine system

A client with Parkinson disease presents with bradykinesia and an altered gait. These symptoms arise in response to the progressive deterioration of which structure in the brain?

Dopamine nigrostriatal system

The underlying causative problem in Parkinsonism is:

Failure of dopamine release

The nurse is suctioning a client with a C3 spinal cord injury when the client's heart rate drops from 86 bpm to 42 bpm. What intervention does the nurse understand should be provided prior to suctioning to prevent this vasovagal response from occurring?

Hyperoxygenate prior to suctioning.

Reflexes are basically "hard-wired" into the CNS. Anatomically, the basis of a reflex is an afferent neuron that synapses directly with an effector neuron to cause muscle movement. Sometimes the afferent neuron synapses with what intermediary between the afferent and effector neurons?

Interneuron

Restoration of the integrity of myelin sheaths would likely result in a slowing or stopping of the progression of:

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Guillain-Barré syndrome is characterized by which form of neuron damage?

Polyneuropathy

Which treatment should take place immediately in a client experiencing autonomic dysreflexia?

Position the client in upright position, and correct the initiating stimulus.

Throwing a ball or picking up a fork are movements controlled by which portion of the frontal lobe?

Premotor cortex

A client is devastated to receive a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The symptomatology of this disease is a result of its effects on upper and lower motor neurons. The health care provider caring for this client will focus on which priority intervention for this client?

Respiratory ventilation assessment and prevention of aspiration pneumonia

During physiology class, the instructor asks students to explain the pathology behind development of multiple sclerosis. Which student gave the most accurate description?

The demyelination and subsequent degeneration of nerve fibers and decreased oligodendrocytes, which interfere with nerve conduction

A client comes to the clinic and informs the nurse that he believes he is suffering from Parkinson disease. What objective data assessed by the nurse would correlate with the client's concern? Select all that apply.

Tremor Rigidity Bradykinesia

The nurse has just completed an assessment on a client admitted with Guillain-Barré syndrome. The nurse determines that a priority of care will be:

Ventilatory assessment and support

Death caused by muscular dystrophy in early adulthood is usually due to:

respiratory and cardiac muscle involvement.