The nurse is caring for a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). What should the nurse identify as being the primary focus of care for this patient?
1. respiratory support as the muscles of breathing fail, and managing secretions due to the inability to swallow and communication
2. providing gastrostomy feedings as soon as possible so as to build up muscle mass when motor functions return
3. pain management and active range-of-motion (ROM) exercises
4. giving immunosuppressants
Correct Answer: 1
Manifestations of ALS include loss of both upper and motor neurons, resulting in loss of the muscles of respiration and swallowing. Atrophy of the tongue and facial muscles results in swallowing difficulty and the inability to communicate. Gastrostomy feedings may be needed as the disorder progresses and muscle function is permanently lost. Pain management and immunosuppressants are not part of the treatment of ALS. Active ROM exercises are instituted only if the patient is able, then passive ROM exercises are initiated to stimulate circulation.
You might also like to view...
The daughter of an elderly client reports that the client is experiencing a decrease in hearing ability in the client's right ear. The nurse suspects a conductive hearing loss due to the presence of dried wax in the right ear canal
In which of the following ways can the nurse best validate this suspicion? 1. Perform the Weber test. 2. Perform the Rinne test. 3. Examine the external ear. 4. Perform the whisper test.
A nurse is working on the postpartum unit of the hospital. The nurse is caring for a young woman who is three days after delivery and is about to be discharged with her young son
The nurse notices that the young woman seems hesitant to be involved in the baby's care and frequently sends him back to the nursery once her family goes home. How does the nurse respond? A. Refuse to discharge the baby with his mother. B. Refer the family to a homecare agency so they can receive home visits. C. File a report with child protective services. D. Request a psych consult for the mother.
The clinician is seeing a patient complaining of red eye. The clinician suspects conjunctivitis. The presence of mucopurulent discharge suggests which type of conjunctivitis?
a. Viral conjunctivitis c. Bacterial conjunctivitis b. Keratoconjunctivitis d. Allergic conjunctivitis
A client has been discharged from an acute care facility. The first task a home health nurse must accomplish is
A) Care of the client's physical pain B) Establish the client's database C) Evaluate the care provided previously D) Receive a report from the nursing staff