Which reason explains why a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is uniquely prone to depression?

Intellectual capacity is not affected.

Communication is altered.

Mobility is limited.

Nutritional intake is poor.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Intellectual capacity is not affected:

This statement refers to the fact that ALS primarily affects motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis, but it typically does not directly impact cognitive function or intellectual capacity. While cognitive impairment is not a hallmark feature of ALS, some individuals may experience changes in cognitive function or behavior, such as executive dysfunction or frontotemporal dementia, in later stages of the disease. However, depression in ALS is not primarily linked to changes in intellectual capacity but rather to other factors such as altered communication, physical limitations, and loss of autonomy.

B. Communication is altered:

ALS can affect the muscles involved in speech and swallowing, leading to difficulties in communicationAs the disease progresses, patients may experience dysarthria (difficulty speaking clearly) and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), which can impair their ability to communicate effectively with others. Altered communication can result in frustration, social isolation, and feelings of being misunderstood, all of which are risk factors for depression.

C. Mobility is limited:

ALS causes progressive muscle weakness and paralysis, which can significantly impair mobility over time. As the disease advances, individuals with ALS may become increasingly dependent on mobility aids such as wheelchairs or may require assistance with mobility tasks. Limited mobility can lead to feelings of loss of independence, decreased participation in activities, and increased dependence on caregivers, all of which can contribute to depression.

D. Nutritional intake is poor:

ALS can affect the muscles involved in swallowing and chewing, leading to difficulties with eating and drinking. Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a common symptom in ALS and can result in poor nutritional intake and weight loss. Malnutrition and weight loss are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in ALS, and they can also contribute to feelings of weakness, fatigue, and overall decline in quality of life, which may exacerbate depression.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. "Have you had an MMR immunization?"

This question is not directly relevant to the assessment of Guillain-Barré syndrome. MMR immunization history may be pertinent to other health assessments, such as immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella.

B. "Have you had a recent upper respiratory infection?"

This is the correct answer. GBS often occurs after a recent upper respiratory or gastrointestinal infection, so asking about recent illnesses can provide valuable information for diagnosis.

C. "Have you traveled overseas recently?"

While travel history may be relevant to certain infectious diseases, it is not typically associated with the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Therefore, this question is less pertinent in this context.

D. "Are you taking a multivitamin?"

The use of multivitamins is unlikely to be directly related to the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome. While nutritional status is important for overall health, it is not a primary focus when assessing for GBS.

A. Provide a suction setup at the bedside. B. Elevate the side rails when in bed. C. Place a bite stick at the bedside. D. Keep an oxygen setup at the bedside. E. Furnish restraints at the bedside.

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]

Explanation

A. Provide a suction setup at the bedside:

This is a relevant intervention as it ensures that suction equipment is readily available in case the client experiences excessive secretions or vomiting during or after a seizure. It helps maintain a clear airway and prevent aspiration.

B. Elevate the side rails when in bed:

Elevating the side rails can help ensure the client's safety during a seizure by preventing falls from the bed. It is a preventive measure to minimize the risk of injury.

C. Place a bite stick at the bedside:

Placing a bite stick at the bedside is not a recommended intervention. Bite sticks can potentially injure the patient's teeth or mouth during a seizure and are generally not recommended in current practice.

D. Keep an oxygen setup at the bedside:

This is an appropriate intervention as it ensures that oxygen is readily available in case the client experiences respiratory distress or hypoxia during or after a seizure. Oxygen therapy may be needed to support respiratory function.

E. Furnish restraints at the bedside:

Furnishing restraints at the bedside is not a recommended intervention for managing seizures. Restraints should only be used in exceptional circumstances when the client's safety or the safety of others is at risk and should be applied according to institutional policies and legal regulations.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Which reason explains why a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is uniquely prone to depression?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a possible medical diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Which of the following questions should the nurse ask the client?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has a seizure disorder. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan? (Select all that apply.)

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]

Explanation

A nurse enters a client's room and finds the client on the floor in the clonic phase of a tonic-clonic seizure. Which of the following interventions should the nurse take?

A nurse is caring for a client who has increased intracranial pressure. Which of the nursing interventions should the nurse take?

Which reason explains why a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is uniquely prone to depression?

A nurse is modifying the diet of a client who has Parkinson's disease and a prescription for selegiline, a monamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Which of the following foods should the nurse eliminate from the client's diet?

A few days after a Cerebral Vascular Accident, the patient's family asks the nurse if tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a drug therapy option now. The nurse's response based on the knowledge that this drug must be used within:

Which vitamin will reduce the therapeutic effects of levodopa?

Which signs and symptoms characterize expressive aphasia?

A nurse is preparing to administer diazepam 3 mg IM. The amount available is diazepam for injection 5 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)