Nclex Review Questions: Guillain-Barre

The client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Which past medical history finding makes the client most at risk for this disease? 1.Meningitis or encephalitis during the last 5 years 2.Seizures or trauma to the brain within the last year 3.Back injury or trauma to the spinal cord during the last 2 years 4.Respiratory or gastrointestinal infection during the previous month

4 Rationale: Guillain-Barré syndrome is a clinical syndrome of unknown origin that involves cranial and peripheral nerves. Many clients report a history of respiratory or gastrointestinal infection in the 1 to 4 weeks before the onset of neurological deficits. On occasion, the syndrome can be triggered by vaccination or surgery. Strategic Words

The nurse is admitting a client with Guillain-Barré syndrome to the nursing unit. The client has complaints of inability to move both legs and reports a tingling sensation above the waistline. Knowing the complications of the disorder, the nurse should bring which most essential items into the client's room? 1.Nebulizer and pulse oximeter 2.Blood pressure cuff and flashlight 3.Nasal cannula and incentive spirometer 4.Electrocardiographic monitoring electrodes and intubation tray

4 Rationale:The client with Guillain-Barré syndrome is at risk for respiratory failure because of ascending paralysis. An intubation tray should be available for use. Another complication of this syndrome is cardiac dysrhythmias, which necessitates the use of electrocardiographic monitoring. Because the client is immobilized, the nurse should assess for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism routinely. Although items in the incorrect options may be used in care, they are not the most essential items from the options provided.

25. Which of these nursing actions for a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome is most appropriate for the nurse to delegate to an experienced nursing assistant? a. Nasogastric tube feeding q4hr b. Artificial tear administration q2hr c. Assessment for bladder distension q2hr d. Passive range of motion to extremities q8hr

Correct Answer: D Rationale: Assisting a patient with movement is included in nursing assistant education and scope of practice. Administration of tube feedings, administration of ordered medications, and assessment are skills requiring more education and scope of practice, and the RN should perform these skills. Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: pp. 1586-1587 Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment

7. A patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome asks the nurse what has caused the disease. In responding to the patient, the nurse explains that Guillain-Barré syndrome a. results from an acute infection and inflammation of the peripheral nerves. b. is due to an immune reaction that attacks the covering of the peripheral nerves. c. is caused by destruction of the peripheral nerves after exposure to a viral infection. d. results from degeneration of the peripheral nerve caused by viral attacks.

Correct Answer: B Rationale: Guillain-Barré syndrome is believed to result from an immunologic reaction that damages the myelin sheath of the peripheral nerves. Acute infection or inflammation of the nerves is not a cause. The peripheral nerves are not destroyed and do not degenerate. Cognitive Level: Comprehension Text Reference: pp. 1585-1586 Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

10. A patient who has numbness and weakness of both feet is hospitalized with Guillain-Barré syndrome. The nurse will anticipate that collaborative interventions at this time will include a. intubation and mechanical ventilation. b. insertion of a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube. c. administration of methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol). d. IV infusion of immunoglobulin (Sandoglobulin).

Correct Answer: D Rationale: Because the Guillain-Barré syndrome is in the earliest stages (as evidenced by the symptoms), use of high-dose immunoglobulin is appropriate to reduce the extent and length of symptoms. Mechanical ventilation and tube feedings may be used later in the progression of the syndrome but are not needed now. Corticosteroid use is not helpful in reducing the duration or symptoms of the syndrome. Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1586 Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

8. A 24-year-old patient is hospitalized with the onset of Guillain-Barré syndrome. During this phase of the patient's illness, the most essential assessment for the nurse to carry out is a. monitoring the cardiac rhythm continuously. b. determining the level of consciousness q2hr. c. evaluating sensation and strength of the extremities. d. performing constant evaluation of respiratory function.

Correct Answer: D Rationale: The most serious complication of Guillain-Barré syndrome is respiratory failure, and the nurse should monitor respiratory function continuously. The other assessments will also be included in nursing care, but they are not as important as respiratory assessment. Cognitive Level: Comprehension Text Reference: p. 1586 Nursing Process: Assessment NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

A client with Guillain-Barré syndrome has ascending paralysis and is intubated and receiving mechanical ventilation. Which strategy should the nurse incorporate in the plan of care to help the client cope with this illness? 1.Giving client full control over care decisions and restricting visitors 2.Providing positive feedback and encouraging active range of motion 3.Providing information, giving positive feedback, and encouraging relaxation 4.Providing intravenously administered sedatives, reducing distractions, and limiting visitors

3 Rationale:The client with Guillain-Barré syndrome experiences fear and anxiety from the ascending paralysis and sudden onset of the disorder. The nurse can alleviate these fears by providing accurate information about the client's condition, giving expert care and positive feedback to the client, and encouraging relaxation and distraction. The family can become involved with selected care activities and provide diversion for the client as well.

The client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Which past medical history finding makes the client most at risk for this disease? 1.Meningitis or encephalitis during the last 5 years 2.Seizures or trauma to the brain within the last year 3.Back injury or trauma to the spinal cord during the last 2 years 4.Respiratory or gastrointestinal infection during the previous month

4 Rationale:Guillain-Barré syndrome is a clinical syndrome of unknown origin that involves cranial and peripheral nerves. Many clients report a history of respiratory or gastrointestinal infection 1 to 4 weeks before the onset of neurological deficits. On occasion, the syndrome can be triggered by vaccination or surgery.

The nurse is admitting a client with Guillain-Barré syndrome to the nursing unit. The client has ascending paralysis to the level of the waist. Knowing the complications of the disorder, the nurse should bring which most essential items into the client's room? 1.Nebulizer and pulse oximeter 2.Blood pressure cuff and flashlight 3.Flashlight and incentive spirometer 4.Electrocardiographic monitoring electrodes and intubation tray

4 Rationale:The client with Guillain-Barré syndrome is at risk for respiratory failure because of ascending paralysis. An intubation tray should be available for use. Another complication of this syndrome is cardiac dysrhythmias, which necessitates the use of electrocardiographic monitoring. Because the client is immobilized, the nurse should assess for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism routinely. Although items in the incorrect options may be used in care, they are not the most essential items from the options provided.

9. When caring for a patient who has Guillain-Barré syndrome, which assessment data obtained by the nurse will require the most immediate action? a. The patient complains of severe tingling pain in the feet. b. The patient has continuous drooling of saliva. c. The patient's blood pressure (BP) is 106/50 mm Hg. d. The patient's quadriceps and triceps reflexes are absent.

Correct Answer: B Rationale: Drooling indicates decreased ability to swallow, which places the patient at risk for aspiration and requires rapid nursing and collaborative actions such as suctioning and possible endotracheal intubation. The foot pain should be treated with appropriate analgesics, and the BP requires ongoing monitoring, but these actions are not as urgently needed as maintenance of respiratory function. Absence of the reflexes should be documented, but this is a common finding in Guillain-Barré syndrome. Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: pp. 1586-1587 Nursing Process: Assessment NCLEX: Physiological Integrity