A patient is being evaluated for hearing loss. The doctor is unable to examine the tympanic membrane due to a blockage caused by cerumen. What actions can the nurse take to allow for an examination?

Choice A rationale

Assessing lung sounds is an important part of monitoring a patient’s respiratory status, but it may not be the most immediate action if the patient is finding it increasingly difficult to breathe.

Choice B rationale

While explaining the progression of the syndrome is important for patient education, it may not be the most immediate action if the patient is experiencing difficulty breathing.

Choice C rationale

Guillain-Barre syndrome can affect the muscles used for breathing, resulting in a weakened or paralyzed diaphragm, which can lead to an ineffective breathing pattern. Therefore, if a patient states that it is getting harder to take a deep breath, the nurse should call the physician and prepare for possible intubation.

Choice D rationale

Encouraging the client to cough may not be the most appropriate action if the patient is finding it increasingly difficult to breathe.

Choice A rationale
This statement is not accurate. Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is characterized by periods of new symptoms or relapses that develop over days or weeks and usually improve partially or completely. These episodes are followed by periods of remission, where the disease does not progress. Therefore, RRMS does not cause a steady and gradual decline in function.
Choice B rationale
This is the correct answer. Stress and extreme fatigue can trigger a relapse in RRMS1. Therefore, it is important for patients to avoid these triggers to manage their symptoms effectively.
Choice C rationale
This statement is incorrect. RRMS is the most common disease course at the time of diagnosis. It is not the least common type of multiple sclerosis.
Choice D rationale
This statement is not accurate. Medications for RRMS, known as disease-modifying treatments (DMT), are designed to reduce the frequency and severity of relapses. They are not intended to be taken only during times of relapse, but rather on an ongoing basis to manage the disease.