A child with cerebral palsy (CP) is taking baclofen, a relaxant. Which assessment finding indicates to the practical nurse (PN) that the drug is effective?
Increased appetite.
Sufficient urinary output.
Fewer temper outbursts.
Decreased muscular spasticity.
The Correct Answer is D
Rationale:
A. Increased appetite is not a direct therapeutic indicator of baclofen efficacy. While improved comfort from muscle relaxation might indirectly support better intake, the drug does not possess orexigenic properties. Nutritional status is monitored in cerebral palsy patients, but it remains unrelated to the specific pharmacological mechanism of this skeletal muscle relaxant.
B. Sufficient urinary output is a vital assessment of general physiological and renal function, yet it is not the target of baclofen therapy. Baclofen acts primarily on the central nervous system to inhibit monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflexes at the spinal level. Urinary monitoring ensures adequate drug clearance, but output levels do not reflect the medication's clinical success.
C. Fewer temper outbursts might suggest a reduction in physical discomfort, but baclofen is not an antianxiety or antipsychotic medication. Cerebral palsy may involve behavioral challenges, but the primary goal of this therapy is physical rather than psychological. Behavioral changes are subjective and do not provide a scientific measure of the drug’s specific muscle-relaxing influence.
D. Decreased muscular spasticity is the primary therapeutic goal for a client with cerebral palsy receiving baclofen. This medication functions as a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogue, effectively reducing the transmission of excitatory signals that cause hypertonia and involuntary muscle contractions. A reduction in resistance to passive movement confirms that the drug is achieving its intended neuromuscular effect.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The first intervention the PN should implement is to **sit and offer to listen to the client's concerns**. It is important to approach the client in a calm and non-threatening manner and to establish a rapport with him. Offering to listen to his concerns can help the client feel heard and understood, and can help build trust between the client and the PN.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Explanation: Acute otitis media is a common childhood illness that refers to an infection of the middle ear. It occurs when the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, becomes blocked and fluid accumulates in the middle ear. This fluid provides a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to infection and inflammation. Symptoms of acute otitis media can include ear pain, fever, irritability, and difficulty hearing. It is important for the PN to provide accurate information to the mother and to explain the treatment plan, which may include antibiotics and pain relief measures, as prescribed by the healthcare provider.
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