A nurse is teaching a client who has spinal stenosis about exercise. Which of the following statements by the client indicates they understand the teaching?

Choice A Reason:

Paresthesia is appropriate. Paresthesia, or abnormal sensations such as tingling, numbness, or burning, is a common neurological symptom in individuals with multiple sclerosis. It results from damage to the nerves or disruption of nerve signals in the central nervous system.

Choice B Reason:

Nausea and vomiting is inappropriate. While nausea and vomiting can occur in individuals with multiple sclerosis, they are not considered hallmark symptoms of the disease. These symptoms may be associated with other factors such as medications, autonomic dysfunction, or complications such as urinary tract infections.

Choice C Reason:

Dysphagia is appropriate. Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a common symptom in individuals with multiple sclerosis, particularly as the disease progresses. It can result from damage to the nerves that control swallowing muscles or from impaired coordination of swallowing reflexes.

Choice D Reason:

Spasticity is appropriate. Spasticity, or muscle stiffness and involuntary muscle contractions, is a common symptom in individuals with multiple sclerosis. It occurs due to damage to the nerve fibers that control muscle movement and can lead to difficulty with movement, walking, and muscle control.

Choice E Reason:

Vertigo is appropriate. Vertigo, or the sensation of spinning or dizziness, can occur in individuals with multiple sclerosis, particularly if lesions develop in areas of the brain involved in balance and coordination.

Choice A Reason:

Pleural cavity decompression via needle aspiration is inappropriate. Pleural cavity decompression via needle aspiration may be indicated in cases of tension pneumothorax, a potentially life-threatening condition in which air accumulates in the pleural space and compresses the lung. While it is an intervention rather than a diagnostic tool, it may be performed emergently if tension pneumothorax is suspected based on clinical findings.

Choice B Reason:

Focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) is appropriate. FAST is a bedside ultrasound examination commonly used in trauma settings to rapidly assess for the presence of free fluid in the pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal spaces. It can help identify hemopericardium, hemothorax, or intra-abdominal hemorrhage, which may be indicative of thoracic injury.

Choice C Reason:

Chest x-ray is appropriate. Chest x-ray is a commonly used imaging modality for evaluating thoracic injuries. It can help visualize abnormalities such as rib fractures, pneumothorax, hemothorax, pulmonary contusions, or other traumatic injuries to the chest.

Choice D Reason:

Thoracentesis is appropriate. Thoracentesis is a procedure used to sample fluid from the pleural space for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. It may be indicated if there is a suspicion of pleural effusion or if fluid accumulation is seen on imaging studies such as chest x-ray or ultrasound.

Choice E Reason:

Ultrasound is appropriate. Ultrasound can be used to evaluate various aspects of thoracic injuries, including the presence of pneumothorax, hemothorax, or pleural effusion. It is often used as part of the FAST examination but can also be performed separately for more detailed assessment.