The nurse observes that a client with Parkinson's disease (PD) has a mask like face. Which follow up assessment is most important for the nurse to implement?
Note frequency of drooling.
Determine ability to chew and swallow.
Observe appearance of oral mucosa.
Assess patterns of speech.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Note frequency of drooling: Drooling is a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease due to impaired swallowing and reduced spontaneous swallowing frequency. However, identifying the presence of drooling is not as critical as evaluating the client’s actual ability to safely chew and swallow, which has direct implications for aspiration risk.
B. Determine ability to chew and swallow: A mask-like face indicates rigidity and bradykinesia of facial muscles, which can impair chewing and swallowing. This raises the risk for choking and aspiration pneumonia, making it essential to assess swallowing ability as a priority follow-up. Early identification allows for dietary adjustments and speech therapy referrals.
C. Observe appearance of oral mucosa: While assessing oral health is important in any patient, it does not directly address the functional impairment that may be causing or contributing to a mask-like face. It’s more of a secondary consideration in this context.
D. Assess patterns of speech: Speech changes are common in PD, including soft voice and monotone speech. However, they are not immediately life-threatening. Evaluating swallowing function is more urgent due to the potential for airway compromise and nutritional deficiency.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]
Explanation
A. Schedule regular appointments to measure eye pressures: In glaucoma, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) can damage the optic nerve over time. Regular monitoring allows for early detection of pressure changes and helps guide treatment adjustments, reducing the risk of vision loss.
B. Maintain a diet high in vegetables, particularly carotene: While a healthy diet supports general eye health, there is no strong evidence that high-carotene foods directly prevent the progression of glaucoma. Nutritional choices are supportive but not a substitute for medical management.
C. Meticulously follow regimen for administrating prescribed eye drops: Consistent use of prescribed eye drops, such as prostaglandin analogs or beta-blockers, helps lower IOP and slows optic nerve damage. Adherence is critical in preventing disease progression and potential blindness.
D. Avoid excessive eye strain by limiting computer screen time: Eye strain may cause discomfort or fatigue but does not impact intraocular pressure or glaucoma progression. Limiting screen time is unrelated to preventing blindness in this context.
E. Report any changes in visual perception immediately: Glaucoma often progresses silently until advanced stages. Prompt reporting of symptoms such as halos, peripheral vision loss, or blurring allows for timely evaluation and intervention, helping to preserve remaining vision.
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"D","dropdown-group-2":"B"}
Explanation
- Heart blocks: Heart blocks result from conduction abnormalities in the electrical pathways of the heart and are typically managed with pacemakers or medications, not directly corrected by PCI. PCI targets mechanical obstructions in the coronary arteries and does not primarily address conduction delays.
- Dysrhythmias: Restoring blood flow through PCI improves oxygen delivery to the myocardium, stabilizing the heart’s electrical activity. Ischemia often triggers dysrhythmias, and by relieving this ischemia, PCI reduces the risk of abnormal heart rhythms, particularly ventricular arrhythmias.
- Vasospasms: While vasospasms can cause transient coronary artery narrowing, they are usually managed with medications like calcium channel blockers. PCI is not typically used to treat vasospastic events unless they result in a fixed lesion or underlying atherosclerosis.
- Pain: Chest pain in this client is likely ischemic in nature due to reduced coronary perfusion. PCI relieves this ischemia by opening narrowed arteries, thereby reducing myocardial oxygen demand mismatch and leading to a significant reduction in chest pain symptoms.
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