MED SURG FINAL EXAM (MOST RECENT) (+1000 QUESTIONS ALL ANSWERED 100% CORRECT WITH RATIONALE |VERIFIED TEST BANK| GUARANTEE A+ SCORE 2023-2024
A patient
... [Show More] with myasthenia gravis is admitted to the hospital with respiratory insufficiency and severe weakness. When is a diagnosis of cholinergic crisis made?
a. The patient's respiration is impaired because of muscle weakness.
b. Administration of edrophonium (Tensilon) increases muscle weakness.
c. Administration of edrophonium (Tensilon) results in improved muscle contractility.
d. EMG reveals decreased response to repeated stimulation of muscles.
{{Correct Ans- b.
The reduction of the acetylcholine (ACh) effect in myasthenia gravis (MG) is treated with anticholinesterase drugs, which prolong the action of ACh at the neuromuscular synapse, but too much of these drugs will cause a cholinergic crisis with symptoms very similar to those of MG. To determine whether the patient's manifestations are due to a deficiency of ACh or to too much anticholinesterase drug, the anticholinesterase drug edrophonium chloride (Tensilon) is administered. If the patient is in cholinergic crisis, the patient's symptoms will worsen; if the patient is in a myasthenic crisis, the patient will improve.
During care of a patient in myasthenic crisis, maintenance of what is the nurse's first priority for the patient?
a. Mobility
b. Nutrition
c. Respiratory function
d. Verbal communication {{Correct Ans- c.
The patient in myasthenic crisis has severe weakness and fatigability of all skeletal muscles, affecting the patient's ability to breathe, swallow, talk, and move. However, the priority of nursing care is monitoring and maintaining adequate ventilation.
When providing care for a patient with ALS, the nurse recognizes what as one of the most distressing problems experienced by the patient?
a. Painful spasticity of the face and extremities
b. Retention of cognitive function with total degeneration of motor function
c. Uncontrollable writhing and twisting movements of the face, limbs, and body
d. Knowledge that there is a 50% chance the disease has been passed to any offspring {{Correct Ans- b.
In ALS there is gradual degeneration of motor neurons with extreme muscle wasting from lack of stimulation and use. However, cognitive function is not impaired and patients feel trapped in a dying body. Chorea manifested by writhing, involuntary movements is characteristic of HD. As an autosomal dominant genetic disease, HD also has a 50% chance of being passed to each offspring.
In providing care for patients with chronic, progressive neurologic disease, what is the major goal of treatment that the nurse works toward?
a. Meet the patient's personal care needs.
b. Return the patient to normal neurologic function.
c. Maximize neurologic functioning for as long as possible.
d. Prevent the development of additional chronic diseases. {{Correct Ans- c.
Many chronic neurologic diseases involve progressive deterioration in physical or mental capabilities and have no cure, with devastating results for patients and families. Health care providers can only attempt to alleviate physical symptoms, prevent complications, and assist patients in maximizing function and self-care abilities for as long as possible.
The nurse determines that teaching about management of migraine headaches has been effective when the patient says which of the following?
a. "I can take the (Topamax) as soon as a headache starts."
b. "A glass of wine might help me relax and prevent a headache."
c. "I will lie down someplace dark and quiet when the headaches begin."
d. "I should avoid taking aspirin and sumatriptan (Imitrex) at the same time."
{{Correct Ans- C.
It is recommended that the patient with a migraine rest in a dark, quiet area. Topiramate (Topamax) is used to prevent migraines and must be taken for several months to determine effectiveness. Aspirin or other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications can be taken with the triptans. Alcohol may precipitate migraine headaches.
A patient who is having an acute exacerbation of multiple sclerosis has a prescription for methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) 160 mg IV. The label on the vial reads: methylprednisolone 125 mg in 2 mL. How many mL will the nurse administer? {{Correct Ans- 2.56. With a concentration of 125 mg/2 mL, the nurse will need to administer 2.56 mL to obtain 160 mg of methylprednisolone.
The nurse will assess a 67-year-old patient who is experiencing a cluster headache for
a. nuchal rigidity.
b. unilateral ptosis.
c. projectile vomiting.
d. throbbing, bilateral facial pain. {{Correct Ans- B.
Unilateral eye edema, tearing, and ptosis are characteristic of cluster headaches. Nuchal rigidity suggests meningeal irritation, such as occurs with meningitis. Although nausea and vomiting may occur with migraine headaches, projectile vomiting is more consistent with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Unilateral sharp, stabbing pain, rather than throbbing pain, is characteristic of cluster headaches.
While the nurse is transporting a patient on a stretcher to the radiology department, the patient begins having a tonic-clonic seizure. Which action should the nurse take?
a. Insert an oral airway during the seizure to maintain a patent airway.
b. Restrain the patient's arms and legs to prevent injury during the seizure.
c. Time and observe and record the details of the seizure and postictal state.
d. Avoid touching the patient to prevent further nervous system stimulation.
{{Correct Ans- C.
Because the diagnosis and treatment of seizures frequently are based on the description of the seizure, recording the length and details of the seizure is important. Insertion of an oral airway and restraining the patient during the seizure are contraindicated. The nurse may need to move the patient to decrease the risk of injury during the seizure. [Show Less]