Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Management of Patients with Neurologic Infections, Autoimmune Disorders, and Neuropathies Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Management of Patients with Neurologic Infections, Autoimmune Disorders, and Neuropathies related questions and content

A 48-year-old patient has been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia following recent episodes of unilateral face pain. The nurse should recognize what implication of this diagnosis?

  • A. The patient will likely require lifelong treatment with anticholinergic medications.
  • B. The patient has a disproportionate risk of developing myasthenia gravis later in life.
  • C. The patient needs to be assessed for MS.
  • D. The disease is self-limiting and the patient will achieve pain relief over time.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Trigeminal neuralgia in patients under 50 may indicate MS, necessitating evaluation. It is not treated with anticholinergics, not linked to myasthenia gravis, and not self-limiting.