Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Introduction to the Nervous System Related

Review Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Introduction to the Nervous System related questions and content

The nurse is caring for a client newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis who is overwhelmed by learning about the disease. The client indicates understanding that there is a disruption in the covering of axons but does not remember what the covering is called. What should the nurse tell the client?

  • A. That it is not necessary to worry about the finer details of the disease.
  • B. That because there is so much to learn, there will be another meeting to discuss it again.
  • C. That the covering is called myelin and that it can be discussed further at the next meeting.
  • D. That the disease process requires more research.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Myelin is a fatty substance that covers some axons in the CNS and PNS. The nurse would be most correct in answering the question and then, if the client is tired, following up at the next meeting. It would also be appropriate to provide literature for the client to review at leisure. Discounting the client's need to know information about the disease process is belittling. Telling the client that more research needs to be done discounts the valuable information which is known.