A client who has lumbar radiculopathy due to spinal stenosis is scheduled for an interventional procedure to relieve their symptoms. The nurse explains to the client that they will receive an injection of a steroid and a local anesthetic into the epidural space of their spine. The client asks the nurse, "How will this help me?" Which of the following responses should the nurse give?
"The steroid will reduce the inflammation and swelling of the nerve root, which will decrease your pain and improve your function."
"The local anesthetic will block the transmission of pain signals from the nerve root to your brain, which will provide you with temporary relief."
"The combination of steroid and local anesthetic will shrink the size of the disc or bone spur that is compressing the nerve root, which will restore your mobility and sensation."
"The injection will deliver medication directly to the affected area of your spine, which will have fewer side effects than oral or intravenous medications."
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason:
This is the correct answer because epidural steroid injections are used to treat radiculopathy by reducing inflammation and edema of the nerve root, which can relieve radicular pain and improve neurological function.
Choice B reason:
This is incorrect because local anesthetic alone can provide temporary pain relief by blocking nerve conduction, but it does not address the underlying cause of radiculopathy, which is nerve root compression.
Choice C reason:
This is incorrect because steroid and local anesthetic do not have any effect on the size or shape of the disc or bone spur that is compressing the nerve root. They only reduce inflammation and pain.
Choice D reason:
This is incorrect because although epidural injections may have fewer systemic side effects than oral or intravenous medications, they still have some risks and complications, such as infection, bleeding, nerve damage, or spinal headache.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
This is a correct statement, as the PNS consists of cranial and spinal nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body and transmit sensory and motor signals.
Choice B reason:
This is a correct statement, as the PNS is divided into two subdivisions: the somatic nervous system (SNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
Choice C reason:
This is a correct statement, as the PNS controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles and provides sensory feedback from the skin, joints, and muscles through the SNS.
Choice D reason:
This is an incorrect statement, as this is the function of the ANS, which is a subdivision of the PNS. The ANS regulates involuntary functions of smooth muscles, cardiac muscles, and glands through its two branches: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
This is correct because improved movement of the arm and leg on the affected side indicates an improvement in motor function, which can be impaired by ischemic stroke.
Choice B reason:
This is correct because improved speech and comprehension indicate an improvement in language function, which can be impaired by ischemic stroke, especially if it affects the dominant hemisphere.
Choice C reason:
This is correct because improved swallowing indicates an improvement in cranial nerve function, which can be impaired by ischemic stroke, especially if it affects the brainstem.
Choice D reason:
This is correct because all of the above statements indicate an improvement in functional recovery, which is the goal of rehabilitation for clients who have ischemic stroke.
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