als, parkinsons, huntington disease, alzheimers practice questions

A patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is being visited by the home health nurse who is creating a care plan. What nursing diagnosis is most likely for a patient with this condition? A) Chronic confusion B) Impaired urinary elimination C) Impaired verbal communication D) Bowel incontinence

C

A patient with Huntington disease has just been admitted to a long term care facility. The charge nurse is creating a care plan for this patient. Nutritional management for a patient with Huntington disease should be informed by what principle? A) The patient is likely to have an increased appetite. B) The patient is likely to require enzyme supplements. C) The patient will likely require a clear liquid diet. D) The patient will benefit from a low protein diet.

A

A patient with a new diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is overwhelmed by his diagnosis and the known complications of the disease. How can the patient best make known his wishes for care as his disease progresses? A) Prepare an advance directive B) Designate a most responsible physician (MRP) early in the course of the disease C) Collaborate with representatives from the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association. D) Ensure that witnesses are present when he provides instruction

A

A patient with suspected Parkinson's disease is initially being assessed by the nurse. When is the best time to assess for presence of a tremor? A) when the patient is resting B) when the patient is ambulating C) when the patient is preparing his or her meal tray to eat D) when the patient is participating in occupational therapy

A

An older adult has encouraged her husband to visit their primary care provider, stating that she is concerned that he may have Parkinson's disease. Which of the wife's descriptions of her husbands health and function is most suggestive of Parkinson's disease? A) Lately he seems to move far more slowly than he ever has in the past B) He often complains that his joints are terribly stiff when he wakes up in the morning. C) He's forgotten the names of some people that we have known for years. D) He's losing weight even though he has a ravenous appetite.

A

The nurse caring for a patient with Parkinson's disease has prepared a plan of care that would include what goal? A) promoting effective communication B) controlling diarrhea C) preventing cognitive decline D) managing choreiform movements

A

A patient who has severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) is being admitted to the hospital for surgery. Which intervention will the nurse include in the plan of care? A) Encourage the patient to discuss events from the past. B) Maintain a consistent daily routine for the patient's care. C) Reorient the patient to the date and time every 2 to 3 hours. D) Provide the patient with current newspapers and magazines.

B

The clinic nurse is caring for a patient with Parkinson's disease notes that the patient has been taking levodopa and carbidopa (Sinemet) for 7 years. For what common side effect of Sinemet would the nurse assesses this patient? A) pruritus B) dyskinesia C) lactose intolerance D) diarrhea

B

The nurse has admitted a new patient to the unit. One of the patient's admitting orders is for an adrenergic medication. The nurse knows that this medication will have what effect on the circulatory system? A) Thin, watery saliva B) Increased heart rate C) Decreased BP D) Constricted bronchioles

B

The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The patient is having increasing problems with rising from the sitting to the standing position. What should the nurse suggest to the patient to use that will aid in getting from the sitting to the standing position as well as aid in improving bowel elimination? A) Use of a bedpan B) Use of a raised toilet seat C) Sitting quietly on the toilet every 2 hours D) Following outlined bowel program

B

The nurse is planning the care of a patient with Parkinson's disease. The nurse should be aware that treatment will focus on what pathophysiological phenomenon? A) premature degradation of acetylcholine B) decreased availability of dopamine C) insufficient synthesis of epinephrine D) delayed reuptake of serotonin

B

Assessment is crucial to the care of patients with neurologic dysfunction. What does accurate and appropriate assessment require? Select all that apply. A) The ability to select mediations for the neurologic dysfunction B) Understanding of the tests used to diagnose neurologic disorders C) Knowledge of nursing interventions related to assessment and diagnostic testing D) Knowledge of the anatomy of the nervous system E) The ability to interpret the results of diagnostic tests

B C D

A 71-year-old patient with Alzheimer's disease (AD) who is being admitted to a long-term care facility has had several episodes of wandering away from home. Which action will the nurse include in the plan of care? A) Reorient the patient several times daily. B) Have the family bring in familiar items. C) Place the patient in a room close to the nurses' station. D) Ask the patient why the wandering episodes have occurred.

C

A patient is being evaluated for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The nurse explains to the patient's adult children that- A) The most important risk factor for AD is a family history of the disorder. B) New drugs have been shown to reverse AD dramatically in some patients. C) A diagnosis of AD is made only after other causes of dementia are ruled out. D) The presence of brain atrophy detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will confirm the diagnosis of AD.

C

A patient with Parkinson's disease is experiencing episodes of constipation that are becoming increasingly frequent and severe. The patient states that he has been achieving relief for the past few weeks using OTC laxatives. How should the nurse respond? A) It is important to drink plenty of fluids while you are taking laxatives. B) Make sure that you supplement your laxatives with a nutritious diet. C) Lets explore other options, because laxatives can have side effects that create dependency. D) You should ideally be using herbal remedies rather than medications to promote bowel function.

C

A patient with Parkinson's disease is undergoing a swallowing assessment because she has recently developed adventitious lung sounds. The patients nutritional needs should should be met by what method? A) total parenteral nutrition (TPN) B) provision of a low residue diet C) semisolid food with thick liquids D) minced foods and fluid restriction

C

A patient, brought to the clinic by his wife and son, is diagnosed with Huntington disease. When providing anticipatory guidance, the nurse should address the future possibility of what effect of Huntington disease? A) Metastasis B) Risk for stroke C) Emotional and personality changes D) Pathologic bone fractures

C

A 72-year-old female patient is brought to the clinic by the patient's spouse, who reports that she is unable to solve common problems around the house. To obtain information about the patient's current mental status, which question should the nurse ask the patient? A) "Are you sad?" B) "How is your self-image?" C) "Where were you born?" D) "What did you eat for breakfast?"

D

A patient has just been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and the nurse is planning subsequent care for the home setting. What nursing diagnosis should the nurse address when educating the patients family? A) risk for infection B) impaired spontaneous ventilation C) unilateral neglect D) risk for injury

D

A patient who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease several months ago recently began treatment with levodopa-carbidopa. The patient and his family are excited that he has experienced significant symptom relief. The nurse should be aware of what implication of the patient medication regimen? A) The patient is in a honeymoon period when adverse effects of levodopa-carbidopa are not yet evident. B) Benefits of levodopa-carbidopa do not peak until 6 to 9 months after the initiation of treatment. C) The patients temporary improvement in status is likely unrelated to levodopa-carbidopa. D) Benefits of levodopa-carbidopa often diminish after 1 or 2 years of treatment.

D

The nurse is caring for a patient with Huntington disease who has been admitted to the hospital for treatment of malnutrition. What independent nursing action should be implemented in the patients plan of care? A) Firmly redirect the patients head when feeding. B) Administer phenothiazines after each meal is ordered. C) Encourage the patient to keep his or her feeding area clean. D) Apply deep, gentle pressure around the patients mouth to aid swallowing.

D