When caring for a client diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, the nurse should be alert for which manifestations of myasthenic crisis? Select all that apply.
- A. Bradycardia
- B. Increased diaphoresis
- C. Decreased lacrimation
- D. Bowel and bladder incontinence
- E. Absent cough and swallow reflex
- F. Sudden marked rise in blood pressure
Correct Answer: B,D,E,F
Rationale: Myasthenic crisis is caused by undermedication or can be precipitated by an infection or sudden withdrawal of anticholinesterase medications. It may also occur spontaneously. Clinical manifestations include increased diaphoresis, bowel and bladder incontinence, absent cough and swallow reflex, sudden marked rise in blood pressure because of hypoxia, increased heart rate, severe respiratory distress and cyanosis, increased secretions, increased lacrimation, restlessness, and dysarthria.
You may also like to solve these questions
Which important parameter should the nurse assess on a daily basis for a client diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome?
- A. Weight
- B. Albumin levels
- C. Activity tolerance
- D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The client with nephrotic syndrome typically presents with edema, hypoalbuminemia, and proteinuria. The nurse carefully assesses the fluid balance of the client, which includes daily monitoring of weight, intake and output, edema, and girth measurements. Albumin levels are monitored as they are prescribed, as are the BUN and creatinine levels. The client's activity level is adjusted according to the amount of edema and water retention.
During the postoperative period, the client who underwent a pelvic exenteration reports pain in the calf area. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Ask the client to walk and observe the gait.
- B. Lightly massage the calf area to relieve the pain.
- C. Check the calf area for temperature, color, and size.
- D. Administer PRN morphine sulfate as prescribed for postoperative pain.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse monitors the postoperative client for complications such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary emboli, and wound infection. Pain in the calf area could indicate a deep vein thrombosis. Change in color, temperature, or size of the client's calf could also indicate this complication. Options 1 and 2 could result in an embolus if in fact the client had a deep vein thrombosis. Administering pain medication for this client is not the appropriate nursing action since further assessment needs to take place.
Which piece of equipment will the nurse routinely use to assess the fetal heart rate of a woman at 16 weeks' gestation?
- A. Fetal heart monitor
- B. An adult stethoscope
- C. Bell of a stethoscope
- D. Ultrasound fetoscope
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Toward the end of the first trimester, the fetal heart tones can be heard with an ultrasound fetoscope. Options 2 and 3 are not designed to adequately assess the fetal heart rate. A fetal heart monitor is used during labor or in other situations when the fetal heart rate needs continuous monitoring.
The nurse who has been closely monitoring a child who has been exhibiting decorticate (flexor) posturing notes that the child suddenly exhibits decerebrate (extensor) posturing. The nurse interprets that this change in the child's posturing indicates what?
- A. An insignificant finding
- B. An improvement in condition
- C. Decreasing intracranial pressure
- D. Deteriorating neurological function
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The progression from decorticate to decerebrate posturing usually indicates deteriorating neurological function and warrants primary health care provider notification. Options 1, 2, and 3 are inaccurate interpretations.
A client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. The nurse monitors the client for which problem that is likely to occur with this diagnosis?
- A. Hypovolemia
- B. Hypoglycemia
- C. Mood disturbances
- D. Deficient fluid volume
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cushing's syndrome is a metabolic disorder resulting from the chronic and excessive production of cortisol. When Cushing's syndrome develops, the normal function of the glucocorticoids becomes exaggerated and the classic picture of the syndrome emerges. This exaggerated physiological action can cause mood disturbances, including memory loss, poor concentration and cognition, euphoria, and depression. It can also cause persistent hyperglycemia along with sodium and water retention (hypernatremia), producing edema (hypervolemia; fluid volume excess), and hypertension.
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