The nurse is caring for a patient who has multiple sclerosis. The patient is experiencing an acute attack. Which drug does the nurse anticipate the provider will order?
Interferon-B (IFN-B)
Mitoxantrone
Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone)
Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol)
The Correct Answer is D
A) Interferon-B (IFN-B): Interferon-beta is a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) used for multiple sclerosis (MS) to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks and slow disease progression. However, it is not typically used during an acute exacerbation of MS. It is more commonly prescribed for long-term management of the disease.
B) Mitoxantrone: Mitoxantrone is an immunosuppressive agent that is used as a disease-modifying therapy for patients with more aggressive forms of MS. While it can be helpful in reducing the frequency of attacks, it is not the first-line treatment during an acute relapse. Mitoxantrone is often considered for long-term use when other therapies are not effective.
C) Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone): Glatiramer acetate is another disease-modifying therapy for MS. It works by altering the immune response to protect the myelin sheath. Like interferon-beta, it is used for long-term management, not for acute attacks. It is not typically used during an exacerbation of MS.
D) Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol): Methylprednisolone, a corticosteroid, is the standard treatment for acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis. It works by reducing inflammation, which helps to decrease the severity of symptoms during an MS relapse. The nurse would anticipate this drug being prescribed to manage the acute inflammatory episode and speed recovery from the attack. This medication is often administered intravenously in high doses and then tapered as the patient stabilizes.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Hypothalamus and the medulla: While the hypothalamus and medulla play critical roles in regulating autonomic functions and overall sympathetic nervous system activity, the primary origin of the sympathetic nervous system's neural impulses comes from the spinal cord, specifically in the thoracic and lumbar regions. The hypothalamus and medulla are involved in coordinating and regulating sympathetic activity rather than being the origin of the impulses themselves.
B) Cranium and sacral area of the spinal cord: The cranium and sacral regions are primarily associated with the parasympathetic nervous system, not the sympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system's nerve fibers arise from the brainstem and the sacral region, while the sympathetic fibers originate from the thoracic and lumbar areas.
C) Thoracic and lumbar section of the spinal cord: The sympathetic nervous system originates in the thoracolumbar region of the spinal cord, which includes the thoracic and lumbar segments (T1-L2). These regions house the preganglionic neurons whose axons exit the spinal cord and synapse in sympathetic ganglia, leading to the sympathetic effects on organs and tissues. This makes the thoracic and lumbar sections the correct location for the origin of SNS impulses.
D) Nerve membrane: The nerve membrane, or the cellular membrane of individual neurons, is not the location where impulses originate. The origin of the impulses is in the central nervous system (CNS), specifically in the spinal cord for the sympathetic system, not at the level of the individual nerve membranes.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Monoamine oxidase:
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is an enzyme, not a neurotransmitter. It is responsible for breaking down certain neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, in the brain and other parts of the body. While it plays a crucial role in regulating neurotransmitter levels, it is not itself a neurotransmitter.
B) Cholinesterase:
Cholinesterase is also an enzyme, not a neurotransmitter. It breaks down acetylcholine (ACh) at synaptic junctions to terminate its action after it has transmitted a nerve impulse. This enzyme is important for the proper functioning of cholinergic synapses but does not function as a neurotransmitter.
C) Acetylcholine (ACh):
Acetylcholine (ACh) is a neurotransmitter. It is released by nerve cells at cholinergic synapses and plays a key role in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. ACh is involved in transmitting nerve impulses to muscles (muscle contraction) and is also important in cognitive functions like memory and learning in the brain.
D) Calcium:
Calcium is a vital ion involved in many cellular processes, including muscle contraction and neurotransmitter release. However, it is not a neurotransmitter. It plays a role in the function of neurotransmitters but does not act as one itself.
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