A nurse is performing an emergency assessment for a client who is experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask the client?

Choice A reason:

The client's level of fatigue and weakness is an important data to collect because fatigue is one of the most common and disabling symptoms of MS, affecting about 80% of people with the condition. Fatigue can interfere with the client's daily activities, quality of life, and ability to cope with other symptoms. Weakness is also a common symptom of MS, caused by damage to the nerve fibers that control muscle movements. Weakness can affect the client's mobility, balance, and coordination.

Choice B reason:

The client's cognitive and emotional status is another important data to collect because MS can affect the brain and spinal cord, leading to cognitive impairment in about 50% of people with MS. Cognitive impairment can affect the client's memory, attention, concentration, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. MS can also cause emotional changes, such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, and euphoria. Emotional changes can affect the client's coping skills, social relationships, and self-esteem.

Choice C reason:

The client's family history and genetic risk factors is not an important data to collect because MS is not a hereditary disease. Although genetic factors may play a role in increasing the susceptibility to MS, they are not sufficient to cause the disease by themselves. MS is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors that trigger an autoimmune response in the central nervous system. Therefore, knowing the client's family history and genetic risk factors will not help in diagnosing or managing MS.

Choice D reason:

The client's vision and hearing acuity is an important data to collect because MS can affect the optic nerve and cause visual disturbances, such as blurred vision, double vision, loss of color vision, pain in the eye, or temporary blindness. Visual disturbances are often the first symptom of MS and can recur or worsen over time. MS can also affect the auditory nerve and cause hearing problems, such as hearing loss, tinnitus, or vertigo. Hearing problems are less common than visual problems in MS but can still affect the client's communication and quality of life.

Choice E reason:

The client's mobility and coordination skills is an important data to collect because MS can damage the nerve fibers that control muscle movements and cause spasticity, tremors, ataxia, dysmetria, or dysdiadochokinesia. These symptoms can affect the client's mobility and coordination skills and increase the risk of falls, injuries, or disability. Assessing the client's mobility and coordination skills can help in planning interventions to improve function, safety, and independence.

Choice A reason:

Asking about the clients' current exercise habits helps the nurse to assess their baseline physical activity levels, their preferences, their strengths, and their areas for improvement. This information can help the nurse to tailor the health promotion interventions to the clients' needs and goals.

Choice B reason:

Asking about the benefits of regular physical activity helps the nurse to evaluate the clients' knowledge and awareness of the positive effects of exercise on their health and well-being. This information can help the nurse to reinforce the clients' motivation and provide education as needed.

Choice C reason:

Asking about the barriers to increasing physical activity helps the nurse to identify the factors that may prevent or hinder the clients from engaging in exercise. These factors may include lack of time, resources, support, or confidence. This information can help the nurse to address the clients' concerns and challenges and help them find solutions.

Choice D reason:

Asking about the strategies to overcome the barriers helps the nurse to empower the clients to take action and make changes in their behavior. The nurse can help the clients to develop realistic and specific plans that suit their abilities and preferences. The nurse can also provide support and encouragement along the way.

Choice E reason:

Asking about the potential complications of physical inactivity is not a relevant question to assess the clients' readiness for enhanced fitness. This question may be appropriate for secondary or tertiary prevention, but not for primary prevention. Primary prevention focuses on promoting health and preventing disease or injury, not on treating or rehabilitating existing problems.