Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who has multiple sclerosis. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?
A. Diplopia.
A) Diplopia: Diplopia, or double vision, is a common symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS) due to demyelination of nerves in the brainstem, affecting eye movement coordination. This visual disturbance is frequently seen in MS clients and may worsen during flare-ups.
B. Masklike expression.
B) Masklike expression: A masklike expression is more commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease rather than multiple sclerosis. This characteristic facial appearance is due to muscle rigidity, which is not typically a manifestation of MS.
C. Twitching of the face.
C) Twitching of the face: Facial twitching, or fasciculations, is not typically a primary symptom of multiple sclerosis. While muscle weakness and spasticity are common in MS, twitching is more commonly seen in conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
D. Agitation.
D) Agitation: Agitation is not a primary symptom of MS. While MS can lead to cognitive changes or mood disturbances, such as depression, severe agitation is more commonly linked with other neurological or psychiatric conditions.
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Full Explanation
Answer: A. Diplopia.
Rationale:
A) Diplopia: Diplopia, or double vision, is a common symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS) due to demyelination of nerves in the brainstem, affecting eye movement coordination. This visual disturbance is frequently seen in MS clients and may worsen during flare-ups.
B) Masklike expression: A masklike expression is more commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease rather than multiple sclerosis. This characteristic facial appearance is due to muscle rigidity, which is not typically a manifestation of MS.
C) Twitching of the face: Facial twitching, or fasciculations, is not typically a primary symptom of multiple sclerosis. While muscle weakness and spasticity are common in MS, twitching is more commonly seen in conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
D) Agitation: Agitation is not a primary symptom of MS. While MS can lead to cognitive changes or mood disturbances, such as depression, severe agitation is more commonly linked with other neurological or psychiatric conditions.
Similar Questions
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for colesevelam powder for oral suspension. The nurse should include which of the following instructions?
A. "Take the medication on an empty stomach.”.
Taking colesevelam on an empty stomach is not necessary. This medication can be taken with food to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.
B. "Increase fiber in your diet.”.
Increasing fiber in the diet is generally beneficial for bowel health, but it is not specific to the use of colesevelam powder for oral suspension.
C. "Discard the oral suspension if it is cloudy after mixing.”.
This is the correct answer because if the oral suspension of colesevelam is cloudy after mixing, it indicates that the medication may have degraded or is not suitable for consumption. Discarding the cloudy suspension ensures that the client receives the appropriate dose and effectiveness of the medication.
D. "Avoid drinking grapefruit juice.".
Avoiding grapefruit juice is important for some medications, but it is not relevant to colesevelam. Grapefruit juice can interfere with the metabolism of certain drugs, but it does not have a significant effect on colesevelam.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Taking colesevelam on an empty stomach is not necessary. This medication can be taken with food to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.
Choice B rationale:
Increasing fiber in the diet is generally beneficial for bowel health, but it is not specific to the use of colesevelam powder for oral suspension.
Choice C rationale:
This is the correct answer because if the oral suspension of colesevelam is cloudy after mixing, it indicates that the medication may have degraded or is not suitable for consumption. Discarding the cloudy suspension ensures that the client receives the appropriate dose and effectiveness of the medication.
Choice D rationale:
Avoiding grapefruit juice is important for some medications, but it is not relevant to colesevelam. Grapefruit juice can interfere with the metabolism of certain drugs, but it does not have a significant effect on colesevelam.
A nurse is reviewing the prescriptions for a client who has a new diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse clarify with the provider?
A. Place the client on droplet precautions.
Placing the client on droplet precautions is appropriate for bacterial meningitis, as it is spread through respiratory droplets. This measure helps prevent the spread of infection to others.
B. Perform a cranial nerve assessment on the client every 2 hr.
The nurse should clarify the prescription to perform a cranial nerve assessment every 2 hours. While cranial nerve assessment is crucial in monitoring neurological status, performing it every 2 hours is excessive and not supported by evidence-based practice. Frequent assessments can be uncomfortable for the client and may not provide additional meaningful information within such a short interval.
C. Assist the client out of bed three times per day.
Assisting the client out of bed three times per day is essential for promoting mobility and preventing complications such as pressure ulcers and muscle weakness. This prescription is appropriate and does not require clarification.
D. Assess the client's weight daily.
Assessing the client's weight daily is essential in monitoring fluid balance and nutritional status. There is no need to clarify this prescription, as it is a standard practice in caring for clients with bacterial meningitis.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Placing the client on droplet precautions is appropriate for bacterial meningitis, as it is spread through respiratory droplets. This measure helps prevent the spread of infection to others.
Choice B rationale:
The nurse should clarify the prescription to perform a cranial nerve assessment every 2 hours. While cranial nerve assessment is crucial in monitoring neurological status, performing it every 2 hours is excessive and not supported by evidence-based practice. Frequent assessments can be uncomfortable for the client and may not provide additional meaningful information within such a short interval.
Choice C rationale:
Assisting the client out of bed three times per day is essential for promoting mobility and preventing complications such as pressure ulcers and muscle weakness. This prescription is appropriate and does not require clarification.
Choice D rationale:
Assessing the client's weight daily is essential in monitoring fluid balance and nutritional status. There is no need to clarify this prescription, as it is a standard practice in caring for clients with bacterial meningitis.
A nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving mechanical ventilation. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Assess the need for oral suction every 4 hr.
Assessing the need for oral suction every 4 hours is essential in maintaining airway patency and preventing complications associated with excessive secretions. This is an appropriate action and does not require clarification.
B. Check the ventilator settings every 12 hr.
Checking the ventilator settings every 12 hours is necessary to ensure that the mechanical ventilation is providing adequate support for the client's respiratory needs. This prescription is appropriate and does not need clarification.
C. Keep the head of the client's bed elevated at 30°.
Keeping the head of the client's bed elevated at 30° is important in preventing aspiration and ventilator-associated pneumonia. This position helps promote optimal lung expansion and improves oxygenation in ventilated clients.
D. Perform oral hygiene using an alcohol-based oral rinse.
Performing oral hygiene using an alcohol-based oral rinse is not recommended for clients receiving mechanical ventilation. Alcohol-based products can be harmful if aspirated and may disrupt the normal oral flora, leading to complications. The nurse should use a non-alcohol-based oral rinse or foam swabs instead.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Assessing the need for oral suction every 4 hours is essential in maintaining airway patency and preventing complications associated with excessive secretions. This is an appropriate action and does not require clarification.
Choice B rationale:
Checking the ventilator settings every 12 hours is necessary to ensure that the mechanical ventilation is providing adequate support for the client's respiratory needs. This prescription is appropriate and does not need clarification.
Choice C rationale:
Keeping the head of the client's bed elevated at 30° is important in preventing aspiration and ventilator-associated pneumonia. This position helps promote optimal lung expansion and improves oxygenation in ventilated clients.
Choice D rationale:
Performing oral hygiene using an alcohol-based oral rinse is not recommended for clients receiving mechanical ventilation. Alcohol-based products can be harmful if aspirated and may disrupt the normal oral flora, leading to complications. The nurse should use a non-alcohol-based oral rinse or foam swabs instead.