A nurse is completing discharge teaching to a patient who has seizures and received a vagal nerve stimulator to decrease seizure activity. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
You should place a magnet over the implantable device when you feel an aura occurring
It's safe to use a microwave that is 12,000 watts or less
You should avoid the use of CT scan with contrast
It's recommended that you use a burst catheter for pain management .
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
Magnet activation: Placing a magnet over the implantable device activates an on-demand feature of the VNS, delivering extra stimulation to the vagus nerve. This can potentially disrupt or shorten a seizure, especially when used at the onset of an aura (a warning sign that a seizure may be imminent).
Patient empowerment: Teaching the patient how to use the magnet provides them with a sense of control and a way to actively manage their seizures. It can reduce anxiety and improve quality of life.
Choice B rationale:
Microwave safety: While there's no definitive evidence that microwaves directly interfere with VNS devices, manufacturers generally recommend avoiding close or prolonged exposure to microwaves as a precaution. Specific guidelines may vary, but they often suggest keeping a distance of at least 15-20 inches from microwaves. The statement in Choice B about 12,000 watts or less is inaccurate and misleading.
Choice C rationale:
CT scans with contrast: There's no contraindication for patients with VNS to undergo CT scans with contrast. The device is designed to withstand common imaging procedures.
Choice D rationale:
Pain management: Burst catheters are typically used for pain management after surgery or during childbirth. They have no direct relevance to VNS therapy or seizure management.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A is incorrect. While keeping the bed in a high position can minimize fall risk, it is not a specific precaution for preventing seizures. In fact, some types of seizures can be triggered by sudden changes in position.
Choice C is incorrect. Bright lights can worsen seizure activity and should be avoided, especially during the night when the client is more likely to be photosensitive.
Choice D is incorrect. Locking the bed in the lowest position can increase fall risk and is not a specific precaution for preventing seizures.
Rationale for Choice B:
Having seizure medication readily available at the bedside allows for immediate administration in case of a seizure, which can minimize its duration and severity. This is a crucial intervention for seizure precaution.
Keeping the medication within easy reach also ensures prompt administration by healthcare personnel or caregivers, further improving the client's safety and outcome.
Additionally, easy access to the medication empowers the client or caregiver to participate actively in their own care and respond quickly to a potential seizure.
Therefore, based on the importance of immediate access to seizure medication in managing and preventing seizures, Choice B is the most appropriate intervention to include in the client's plan of care.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A:
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties. Activity intolerance is a common symptom, resulting in patients experiencing increased fatigue, pain, and decreased function with exertion.
A program of regular mild to moderate exercise is considered the cornerstone of management for fibromyalgia. Exercise improves physical fitness, reduces pain intensity, and enhances sleep quality. It also decreases fatigue and depression, and improves overall well-being and quality of life. The key is to start with low-impact activities, gradually increase intensity and duration over time, and listen to the body's signals to avoid overexertion.
Here's how exercise benefits patients with fibromyalgia:
Pain reduction: Exercise releases endorphins, natural pain-relieving chemicals in the brain. It also strengthens muscles and improves joint flexibility, leading to decreased pain intensity and frequency.
Improved physical fitness: Regular exercise increases cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and endurance, allowing patients to tolerate activity better and perform daily tasks with less fatigue.
Enhanced sleep quality: Exercise can regulate sleep patterns, promoting deeper sleep and reducing nighttime pain, leading to improved energy levels and mood throughout the day.
Reduced fatigue and depression: Exercise triggers the release of mood-boosting neurotransmitters, like serotonin and dopamine, which can help alleviate symptoms of depression and fatigue commonly associated with fibromyalgia.
Improved overall well-being: Regular physical activity enhances self-efficacy, reduces stress, and promotes social interaction, contributing to a better quality of life for patients with fibromyalgia.
Therefore, a program of regular mild to moderate exercise is the most effective recommendation for patients with fibromyalgia to address activity intolerance and improve their overall well-being.
Rationale for other choices:
Choice B: While daily meditation and guided imagery can be helpful for managing stress and improving sleep in fibromyalgia, they are not as effective as exercise in directly addressing activity intolerance and improving physical fitness and function.
Choice C: Referral to physical therapy for an assistive device may be necessary in some cases with severe limitations, but it is not the first-line intervention for addressing activity intolerance in most patients with fibromyalgia. Exercise should be the initial focus, with assistive devices considered later if needed.
Choice D: NSAID medications can offer temporary pain relief, but they do not address the underlying cause of activity intolerance in fibromyalgia and can have side effects like gastritis and kidney problems. NSAIDs should be used cautiously and only as a complementary therapy alongside exercise in managing fibromyalgia symptoms.
Remember, a tailored exercise program, starting with low-impact activities and gradually increasing intensity, is the key to managing activity intolerance and improving function in patients with fibromyalgia.
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