A client is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Which pathophysiological process should the nurse use when providing the client with information about this disease prognosis?

It occurs as a complication of a spinal cord injury.

Muscle weakness is progressive, degenerative, and fatal.

Mental status changes occur late in the disease.

Autonomic nervous system and sensory changes occur.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Understanding the pathophysiological process of ALS is crucial for providing accurate information about the disease prognosis to the client. Here's why option B is the correct choice:

A) It occurs as a complication of a spinal cord injury:

This statement is incorrect. ALS is not a complication of a spinal cord injury. While both conditions involve motor neuron dysfunction, they have different etiologies and pathophysiological processes. ALS is characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and atrophy, whereas spinal cord injury results from trauma to the spinal cord.

B) Muscle weakness is progressive, degenerative, and fatal:

Correct. ALS is characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, atrophy, and eventual paralysis. The disease is relentless and fatal, typically within 2 to 5 years of diagnosis, although survival can vary widely among individuals. As motor neurons degenerate, voluntary muscle control is lost, eventually affecting the ability to speak, swallow, breathe, and move. Respiratory failure is the most common cause of death in ALS patients.

C) Mental status changes occur late in the disease:

While cognitive and behavioral changes can occur in some individuals with ALS, particularly in the later stages of the disease, they are not universal. ALS primarily affects motor neurons, leading to progressive muscle weakness and paralysis. However, some individuals may experience frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a type of cognitive impairment characterized by changes in behavior, personality, and language.

D) Autonomic nervous system and sensory changes occur:

ALS primarily affects motor neurons rather than sensory neurons or the autonomic nervous system. Sensory symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation are not typical features of ALS. Autonomic dysfunction, including changes in heart rate, blood pressure, or bowel and bladder function, is not a prominent feature of ALS.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Myocardial infarction:

Myocardial infarction (MI) typically presents with severe and prolonged chest pain or discomfort that is not relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. MI is characterized by myocardial necrosis due to prolonged ischemia, often resulting from the occlusion of a coronary artery by a thrombus or plaque rupture. While chest pressure and breathlessness are symptoms commonly associated with MI, the transient nature of the symptoms described by the client, as well as their relief after rest, is more indicative of stable angina rather than MI.

B. Unstable angina:

Unstable angina is characterized by new-onset angina, increasing frequency, or worsening intensity of angina symptoms. It is considered a medical emergency as it may precede a myocardial infarction. However, unstable angina typically presents with symptoms at rest or with minimal exertion and is not usually relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. The client's symptoms, which are relieved by rest, are more consistent with stable angina.

C. Stable angina:

Stable angina is characterized by predictable chest pain or discomfort that occurs with exertion or stress and is relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. The symptoms described by the client, including chest pressure and breathlessness that improve with rest, are consistent with stable angina. Stable angina occurs due to transient myocardial ischemia caused by an imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand, often related to coronary artery disease.

D. Prinzmetal angina:

Prinzmetal angina, also known as variant angina, is characterized by chest pain or discomfort that occurs at rest, often in the early morning hours, and is typically caused by coronary artery spasm rather than fixed atherosclerotic lesions. While Prinzmetal angina can present with transient symptoms similar to those described by the client, it is less common than stable angina and is often associated with transient ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram (ECG), which is not mentioned in the scenario.

A. 40 to 60. B. 20 to 40. C. 60 to 80. D. 80 to 100.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The atrioventricular (AV) node is an essential component of the cardiac conduction system responsible for transmitting electrical impulses from the atria to the ventricles. The inherent rate of the AV node refers to its intrinsic ability to generate electrical impulses in the absence of external influences.

Here's a breakdown of each option:

A) 40 to 60:

Correct. The inherent rate of the AV node is typically 40 to 60 beats per minute (bpm). This rate is slower than that of the sinoatrial (SA) node, which has an inherent rate of 60 to 100 bpm. The AV node acts as a backup pacemaker, ensuring that the ventricles receive electrical impulses even if the SA node fails to function properly.

B) 20 to 40:

This range is not consistent with the typical inherent rate of the AV node. A rate of 20 to 40 bpm would be unusually slow and could indicate significant conduction system abnormalities rather than the normal functioning of the AV node.

C) 60 to 80:

This range is more characteristic of the inherent rate of the SA node rather than the AV node. The SA node is the primary pacemaker of the heart, and its inherent rate is typically 60 to 100 bpm.

D) 80 to 100:

Similar to option C, this range is more consistent with the inherent rate of the SA node rather than the AV node. The SA node typically has a faster intrinsic rate compared to the AV node.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A client is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Which pathophysiological process should the nurse use when providing the client with information about this disease prognosis?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

What is the inherent rate of the AV (atrioventricular) node area?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A client with diabetes mellitus develops an ulcer on the bottom of the foot. Which pathology is the primary contributing factor to the ability of the ulcer to heal?

In caring for an infant after circumcision, the nurse observes continued bleeding from the site and suspects hemophilia. Which hematological components are insufficient causing bleeding if hemophilia is present?

The nurse is caring for a client with stage 4 chronic kidney disease. Which interpretation should the nurse make about the client's glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?

In the kidney, where are the mechanisms found that are responsible for increasing urine concentration?

How are Type IV hypersensitivity reactions different from all other types (I, II, or III) of hypersentivity reactions?

After the nurse obtains a blood sample from a client's right radial arterial client reports a sudden onset of pain at the arterial line insertion site. The nurse recognizes which physiological effect may be inducing the sudden pain?

The nurse is preparing a female client with Addison's disease for self-care afi.4 discharge. Which is the pathophysiological basis to support the need for the client to carry a cortisol kit at all times?

The nurse is caring for a young adult who reports uncontrolled acne vulgaris. Which pathological findings should the nurse observe on inspection of skin areas commonly affected in acne vulgaris?