Which health care discipline would the nurse consult to help a stroke patient with nutrition?

Choice A: Unconsciousness, unarousable unresponsiveness is not a description of persistent vegetative state, but rather a description of coma, as it is a state of complete loss of consciousness and reflexes caused by severe brain injury.

Choice B: Devoid of cognitive function but has sleep-wake cycles is a description of persistent vegetative state, as it is a state of minimal awareness and responsiveness caused by widespread brain damage.

Choice C: Inability to move or respond except for eye movements due to a lesion affecting the pons is not a description of persistent vegetative state, but rather a description of locked-in syndrome, as it is a state of complete paralysis and preserved consciousness caused by damage to the brainstem.

Choice D: Unresponsiveness to the environment, makes no movement or sound but sometimes opens eyes is not a description of persistent vegetative state, but rather a description of akinetic mutism, as it is a state of severe apathy and reduced motor activity caused by damage to the frontal lobes or basal ganglia.

Choice A: Progressive weakness and atrophy of muscle is a manifestation of ALS, as it results from the loss of motor

neurons that control voluntary muscle movements²³.

Choice B: Cramps, twitching, and lack of coordination is a manifestation of ALS, as it results from the abnormal activity of motor neurons that are still functioning²³.

Choice C: Spasticity, deep tendon reflexes brisk, and overactive is a manifestation of ALS, as it results from the damage to the upper motor neurons that regulate muscle tone²³.

Choice D: Difficulty speaking, swallowing, breathing is a manifestation of ALS, as it results from the involvement of the muscles in the mouth, throat, and chest²³.

Choice E: All of the above is correct, as all of these manifestations are common in ALS.