Nokea
A patient was noted to have a generalized seizure reports afterward that the seizure was preceded by numbness and tingling of the arm. What type of seizure would this be classified as?
- A. Atonic
- B. Partial
- C. Absence
- D. Myoclonic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The initial symptoms of a partial seizure involve clinical manifestations that are localized to a particular part of the body or brain. Symptoms of an absence seizure are staring and a brief loss of consciousness. In an atonic seizure, the patient loses muscle tone and (typically) falls to the ground. Myoclonic seizures are characterized by a sudden jerk of the body or extremities.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is caring for a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) who has urinary retention caused by a flaccid bladder. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
- A. Teach the patient how to perform self-catheterization
- B. Decrease the patient's fluid intake in the evening
- C. Suggest the use of incontinence briefs for nighttime use only
- D. Assist the patient to the commode every 2 hours during the day.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bladder control is a major problem for many patients with MS. Although anticholinergics may be beneficial for some patients to decrease spasticity, other patients may need to be taught self-catheterization. Decreasing fluid intake will not improve bladder emptying and may increase risk for urinary tract infection (UTI) and dehydration. The use of incontinence briefs and frequent toileting will not improve bladder emptying.
The nurse is caring for a patient with myasthenia gravis who has had a thymectomy and receives the usual dose of pyridostigmine. An hour later, the patient has nausea and severe abdominal cramps. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
- A. Auscultate the patient's bowel sounds.
- B. Notify the patient's health care provider.
- C. Administer the prescribed PRN antiemetic drug.
- D. Give the scheduled dose of prednisone.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient's history and symptoms indicate a possible cholinergic crisis. The health care provider should be notified immediately, and it is likely that atropine will be prescribed. The other actions will be appropriate if the patient is not experiencing a cholinergic crisis.
The nurse is caring for a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who is hospitalized with pneumonia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Assist with active range of motion
- B. Observe for agitation and paranoia
- C. Give muscle relaxants as needed to reduce spasticity
- D. Use simple words and phrases to explain procedures.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ALS causes progressive muscle weakness. Patients should be guided to use moderate-intensity, endurance-type exercises for the trunk and limbs, since this may help reduce ALS spasticity. When hospitalized with other health concerns, it is important to complete ROM to maintain strength. Psychotic symptoms such as agitation and paranoia are not associated with ALS. Cognitive function is not affected by ALS, and the patient's ability to understand procedures will not be impaired. Muscle relaxants will further increase muscle weakness and depress respirations.
The nurse is teaching a patient with Parkinson's disease preventive measures to reduce the risk of a fall. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching session?
- A. Point the toes downward when stepping.
- B. Take two steps backward and three steps forward.
- C. Rock from front to back when walking.
- D. Drop rice kernels and step over them.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Patients who are at risk for falling and tend to freeze while walking are at risk of falling. Have the patient learn to drop rice kernels and focus on stepping over them to help prevent falls. Other measures include: pointing the toes upward, take one step backwards and two steps forward, and, rock from side to side, rather than from front to back.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is diagnosed with early Huntington's disease (HD). Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching plan for the patient, partner, and children?
- A. Use of levodopa-carbidopa to help reduce HD symptoms
- B. Need to take prophylactic antibiotics to decrease the risk for pneumonia.
- C. Lifestyle changes such as increased exercise that delay disease progression.
- D. Availability of genetic testing to determine the HD risk for the patient's children.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Genetic testing is available to determine whether an asymptomatic individual has the HD gene. The patient and family should be informed of the benefits and problems associated with genetic testing. Sinemet will increase symptoms of HD given that HD involves an increase in dopamine. Antibiotic therapy will not reduce the risk for aspiration. There are no effective treatments or lifestyle changes that delay the progression of symptoms in HD.