During an interview with a male client who has Parkinson's disease (PD), the nurse notices that he is drooling and mumbling. Which pathophysiological factor contributes to the client's inability to express himself?
Damage to Broca's area in temporal lobe of brain.
Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of the basal ganglia.
Brain atrophy with diffuse amyloid plaques disposition.
Paralysis of the pharyngeal and epiglottal area.
The Correct Answer is B
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the basal ganglia. This degeneration leads to a deficiency of dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of movement and coordination. The inability to express oneself, as seen in the client's mumbling, can be attributed to the motor symptoms of PD, particularly bradykinesia (slowness of movement) and hypomimia (reduced facial expression), which result from dopaminergic neuron degeneration.
A) Damage to Broca's area in the temporal lobe of the brain:
Damage to Broca's area typically results in expressive aphasia, which is characterized by difficulty speaking and forming coherent sentences. While speech difficulties can occur in PD, they are primarily due to motor dysfunction rather than damage to specific language centers in the brain.
B) Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of the basal ganglia:
Correct. Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia, particularly the substantia nigra, is the primary pathological factor in Parkinson's disease. This degeneration leads to motor symptoms such as bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity, which can affect the client's ability to speak clearly and express himself.
C) Brain atrophy with diffuse amyloid plaques disposition:
This description is more characteristic of Alzheimer's disease, a different neurodegenerative disorder characterized by brain atrophy and the deposition of amyloid plaques. While cognitive impairment can occur in PD, the primary motor symptoms are related to dopaminergic neuron degeneration rather than amyloid plaque deposition.
D) Paralysis of the pharyngeal and epiglottal area:
Paralysis of the pharyngeal and epiglottal area can lead to dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) rather than difficulty expressing oneself verbally. While dysphagia can occur in PD, it is not typically the primary factor contributing to speech difficulties in this condition.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Peripheral neuropathy:
Peripheral neuropathy involves damage to the peripheral nerves and is not directly related to the described crushing injury. While nerve injury can occur as a result of trauma, the signs and symptoms described in the scenario, such as unequal strength between the left and right thighs, are more indicative of a potential vascular or musculoskeletal issue rather than peripheral neuropathy.
B) Osteomyelitis:
Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that can occur secondary to trauma or as a complication of open fractures. While it is possible for a crushing injury to lead to osteomyelitis if there is bone involvement or an open wound, the scenario mentions that x-rays revealed no broken bones. Additionally, the signs and symptoms described, such as bruising and swelling of the thighs, are not specific to osteomyelitis.
C) Fat embolism:
Fat embolism occurs when fat globules enter the bloodstream, often following traumatic injury to long bones or orthopedic procedures. While a crushing injury can theoretically lead to fat embolism, the absence of long bone fractures in the x-rays makes this less likely. Additionally, fat embolism typically presents with respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea and hypoxemia, which are not described in the scenario.
D) Compartment syndrome:
Correct. Compartment syndrome is a serious condition that can occur following a crushing injury, especially in the extremities. It is characterized by increased pressure within a muscle compartment, leading to compromised blood flow and potential tissue damage. Signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome include severe pain, swelling, bruising, decreased or absent pulses, and neurological deficits. The unequal strength between the left and right thighs could indicate neurological deficits due to compromised blood flow or nerve compression, making assessment for signs of compartment syndrome crucial in this client's plan of care. If compartment syndrome is suspected, prompt medical intervention, such as fasciotomy to relieve pressure, may be necessary to prevent complications.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Acute leukemia, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), involves the proliferation of abnormal myeloblasts (immature white blood cells) in the bone marrow, leading to decreased production of normal blood cells. Here's the breakdown of the pathophysiology contributing to bruising in acute leukemia:
A) Oxyhemoglobin provides less oxygen to tissues:
Oxyhemoglobin refers to hemoglobin bound to oxygen, and its role is in oxygen transport, not in the process of bruising. Therefore, this option is not directly related to the pathophysiology of bruising in acute leukemia.
B) Insufficient platelets delay the clotting process:
Correct. Thrombocytopenia, or low platelet count, is a common complication of acute leukemia due to the replacement of normal bone marrow cells with leukemia cells, leading to inadequate production of platelets. Platelets play a crucial role in hemostasis and clot formation. Insufficient platelets result in delayed clotting, leading to easy bruising and bleeding tendencies in patients with acute leukemia.
C) Phagocytic cells are inadequate in fighting infection:
Leukopenia, or low white blood cell count, can occur in acute leukemia due to suppression of normal hematopoiesis by leukemia cells in the bone marrow. While leukopenia predisposes patients to infections due to impaired immune function, it is not directly related to the pathophysiology of bruising.
D) Lack of iron causes hypochromic blood cells:
Iron deficiency anemia can result in hypochromic red blood cells, but this is not typically associated with the pathophysiology of bruising in acute leukemia. Anemia may contribute to other symptoms such as fatigue and pallor, but bruising primarily results from thrombocytopenia-induced clotting abnormalities.
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