Chapter 44: GBS, MG,

A client is taking long-term corticosteroids for myasthenia gravis. What teaching is most important? a. Avoid large crowds and people who are ill. b. Check blood sugars four times a day. c. Use two forms of contraception. d. Wear properly fitting socks and shoes.

A Corticosteroids reduce immune function, so clients taking these medications must avoid being exposed to illness. Long-term use can lead to secondary diabetes, but the client would not need to start checking blood glucose unless diabetes had been detected. Corticosteroids do not affect the effectiveness of contraception. Wearing well-fitting shoes would be important to avoid injury, but not just because the client takes corticosteroids.

. An older client is hospitalized with Guillain-Barr syndrome. A family member tells the nurse the client is restless and seems confused. What action by the nurse is best? a. Assess the clients oxygen saturation. b. Check the medication list for interactions. c. Place the client on a bed alarm. d. Put the client on safety precautions

A In the older adult, an early sign of hypoxia is often confusion and restlessness. The nurse should first assess the clients oxygen saturation. The other actions are appropriate, but only after this assessment occurs.

A client with myasthenia gravis (MG) asks the nurse to explain the disease. What response by the nurse is best? a. MG is an autoimmune problem in which nerves do not cause muscles to contract. b. MG is an inherited destruction of peripheral nerve endings and junctions. c. MG consists of trauma-induced paralysis of specific cranial nerves. d. MG is a viral infection of the dorsal root of sensory nerve fibers.

A MG is an autoimmune disorder in which nerve fibers are damaged and their impulses do not lead to muscle contraction. MG is not an inherited or viral disorder and does not paralyze specific cranial nerves.

A client had a nerve laceration repair to the forearm and is being discharged in a cast. What statement by the client indicates a poor understanding of discharge instructions relating to cast care? a. I can scratch with a coat hanger. b. I should feel my fingers for warmth. c. I will keep the cast clean and dry. d. I will return to have the cast removed.

A Nothing should be placed under the cast to use for scratching. The other statements show good indication that the client has understood the discharge instructions

A client with myasthenia gravis is prescribed pyridostigmine (Mestinon). What teaching should the nurse plan regarding this medication? (Select all that apply.) a. Do not eat a full meal for 45 minutes after taking the drug. b. Seek immediate care if you develop trouble swallowing. c. Take this drug on an empty stomach for best absorption. d. The dose may change frequently depending on symptoms. e. Your urine may turn a reddish-orange color while on this drug

A, B, D Pyridostigmine should be given with a small amount of food to prevent GI upset, but the client should wait to eat a full meal due to the potential for aspiration. If difficulty with swallowing occurs, the client should seek immediate attention. The dose can change on a day-to-day basis depending on the clients manifestations. Taking the drug on an empty stomach is not related although the client needs to eat within 45 to 60 minutes afterwards. The clients urine will not turn reddish-orange while on this drug.

The nurse caring for a client with Guillain-Barr syndrome has identified the priority client problem of decreased mobility for the client. What actions by the nurse are best? (Select all that apply.) a. Ask occupational therapy to help the client with activities of daily living. b. Consult with the provider about a physical therapy consult. c. Provide the client with information on support groups. d. Refer the client to a medical social worker or chaplain. e. Work with speech therapy to design a high-protein diet.

A, B, E Improving mobility and strength involves the collaborative assistance of occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. While support groups, social work, or chaplain referrals may be needed, they do not help with mobility.

A client with Guillain-Barr syndrome is admitted to the hospital. The nurse plans caregiving priority to interventions that address which priority client problem? a. Anxiety b. Low fluid volume c. Inadequate airway d. Potential for skin breakdown

C Airway takes priority. Anxiety is probably present, but a physical diagnosis takes priority over a psychosocial one. The client has no reason to have low fluid volume unless he or she has been unable to drink for some time. If present, airway problems take priority over a circulation problem. An actual problem takes precedence over a risk for a problem.

A client is admitted with Guillain-Barr syndrome (GBS). What assessment takes priority? a. Bladder control b. Cognitive perception c. Respiratory system d. Sensory functions

C Clients with GBS have muscle weakness, possibly to the point of paralysis. If respiratory muscles are paralyzed, the client may need mechanical ventilation, so the respiratory system is the priority. The nurse will complete urinary, cognitive, and sensory assessments as part of a thorough evaluation.evaluation

An older adult client is hospitalized with Guillain-Barr syndrome. The client is given amitriptyline (Elavil). After receiving the hand-off report, what actions by the nurse are most important? (Select all that apply.) a. Administering the medication as ordered b. Advising the client to have help getting up c. Consulting the provider about the drug d. Cutting the dose of the drug in half e. Placing the client on safety precautions

B, C, E Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant and is considered inappropriate for use in older clients due to concerns of anticholinergic effects, confusion, and safety risks. The nurse should tell the client to have help getting up, place the client on safety precautions, and consult the provider. Since this drug is not appropriate for older clients, cutting the dose in half is not warranted

A client with myasthenia gravis is malnourished. What actions to improve nutrition may the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? (Select all that apply.) a. Assessing the clients gag reflex b. Cutting foods up into small bites c. Monitoring prealbumin levels d. Thickening liquids prior to drinking e. Weighing the client daily

B, D Cutting food up into smaller bites makes it easier for the client to chew and swallow. Thickened liquids help prevent aspiration. The UAP can weigh the client, but this does not help improve nutrition. The nurse assesses the gag reflex and monitors laboratory values.

A client is receiving plasmapheresis. What action by the nurse best prevents infection in this client? a. Giving antibiotics prior to treatments b. Monitoring the clients vital signs c. Performing appropriate hand hygiene d. Placing the client in protective isolation

C Plasmapheresis is an invasive procedure, and the nurse uses good hand hygiene before and after client contact to prevent infection. Antibiotics are not necessary. Monitoring vital signs does not prevent infection but could alert the nurse to its possibility. The client does not need isolation.

The nurse learns that the pathophysiology of Guillain-Barr syndrome includes segmental demyelination. The nurse should understand that this causes what? a. Delayed afferent nerve impulses b. Paralysis of affected muscles c. Paresthesia in upper extremities d. Slowed nerve impulse transmission

D Demyelination leads to slowed nerve impulse transmission. The other options are not correct.

A client with myasthenia gravis has the priority client problem of inadequate nutrition. What assessment finding indicates that the priority goal for this client problem has been met? a. Ability to chew and swallow without aspiration b. Eating 75% of meals and between-meal snacks c. Intake greater than output 3 days in a row d. Weight gain of 3 pounds in 1 month

D Weight gain is the best indicator that the client is receiving enough nutrition. Being able to chew and swallow is important for eating, but adequate nutrition can be accomplished through enteral means if needed. Swallowing without difficulty indicates an intact airway. Since the question does not indicate what the clients meals and snacks consist of, eating 75% may or may not be adequate. Intake and output refers to fluid balance.