Sherpath- Peripheral Nervous Problems
A patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is experiencing facial weakness and dysphagia and requires enteral nutrition. The patient's husband asks why the patient cannot eat since she is awake. How should the nurse respond?
High risk for choking and aspiration
A 28-year old male presents with a 2-day history of right-sided burning facial pain that extends along his jaw, and he complains of the appearance of new bumps near his ear. He recently had an upper respiratory infection and thinks that his recent dental surgery is why his jaw is hurting. What additional information from his history does the nurse expect might help confirm a different diagnosis?
History of Epstein-Barr Positive herpes
A nurse is caring for a patient with Bell's palsy. Which patient statement would indicate the need for further teaching before discharge?
I will brush my teeth twice a day
A patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is admitted to the ICU. The nurse notes an order for IV immunoglobulin (IgG), and the patient's spouse asks why the patient is getting only IVs for this condition. Which response is most appropriate for the nurse to make?
Immunomodulating therapies directly address antigens.
A patient with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is upset that the doctor will not perform surgery to correct her condition. Which therapeutic interventions can the nurse expect to be selected over surgery to treat trigeminal neuralgia?
Acupuncture. Anesthetics Electrical stimulation
A patient presents with onset of left sided facial drooping and tearing of the left eye for the past 3 days. Which medications can the nurse expect to administer to treat this patient's condition?
Corticosteroids.
A nurse is caring for a patient with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) 1. Which manifestations would the nurse expect to observe in this patient?
Frequent attacks. Pain after light touch.
A 63-year-old female has dysphagia and a recent viral illness. The patient had an MRI with and without contrast; blood cultures; lumbar puncture, which confirmed presence of elevated protein levels; and electromyogram (EMG), which confirmed demyelination. Which condition would the nurse expect the patient to have?
GBS
The nurse would expect to see which initial symptoms in a patient who is first showing signs of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)?
Severe achy cramp-like pain. Floppy doll movement. Weakness & tingling
A patient complains of experiencing severe facial pain when washing the face with warm water. The patient states that it hurts too much to even want to open the mouth to eat or brush teeth. Which nutritional and hygiene considerations should the nurse include in the patient's education efforts?
Soft-bristled toothbrush. Eat soft food. Use warm mouthwash. High in protein and calories.
Based on the symptoms given, which priority assessment or intervention should the nurse perform first on Mr. Myers?
Assess respiratory rate and O2
A nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with Bell's palsy. Which manifestations can the nurse expect to see during the care for this patient?
Downturned mouth. Ringing in the ears.
A patient with the right-sided facial droop that has recurred after several months asks what treatments she can perform to manage her symptoms. Which treatments should the nurse instruct her to perform?
Exercise affected muscles Warm wet washcloth Facial massage
A patient with Bell's palsy complains that her appearance is causing her to withdraw from her social activities. Which strategies can the nurse suggest to help the patient increase her comfort level and continue with her activities of daily living?
Eye shield Facial exercises. Avoid cold, drafty environments
A nurse is caring for a patient with trigeminal neuralgia (TN 1). This condition is characterized by which kind of pain?
Intense quick bursts of pain.
A 24-year-old woman is admitted to the ICU for progressive weakness and difficulty swallowing after having a recent cold. Her lumbar puncture showed elevated protein but was negative for bacteria. What treatments and interventions might the nurse expect for this patient?
NG Tube Consults for PT, OT, & Speech Immunomodulator therapy
Mr. Myers has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome and blood tests have also shown abnormal antidiuretic hormone (ADH) production. The nurse notes that Mr. Myers has a low urine output and reports nausea and increased dyspnea on exertion. After informing the primary health care provider of the lab results and symptoms and paging the respiratory therapist, which action should the nurse take next?
Remove water cup
A patient presents for treatment of facial pain and reports a severe shock like pain on the right side of the face that happens occasionally when speaking or touching the face and lasts for about 60 seconds. Based on this patient's symptoms, which medications can the nurse expect to administer in order to handle the patient's pain?
Topiramate. Amitryptiline. Carbamazepine
When assessing a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), the nurse notes a blood pressure (BP) of 82/46 mmHg. Which pharmaceutical interventions can the nurse expect to administer for this patient's safety?
Volume expanders. Vasopressors.