The client diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) is at risk for fatigue. Which priority intervention would the nurse implement to address this issue?
Schedule activities late in day and in the evening
Provide supplemental oxygen when fatigued
Teach the importance of hot showers to help relax
Have the client prioritize activities for the day
The Correct Answer is D
A. Schedule activities late in the day and in the evening:
Scheduling activities late in the day is not an ideal approach for managing fatigue in clients with MS. Fatigue typically worsens as the day progresses, and clients with MS often experience more energy depletion in the late afternoon and evening. Therefore, the best time to schedule demanding activities is earlier in the day when the client may have more energy. Scheduling strenuous tasks late in the day may exacerbate fatigue and lead to physical and emotional exhaustion.
B. Provide supplemental oxygen when fatigued:
While oxygen therapy is appropriate for clients with respiratory issues or other conditions that affect oxygenation, it is not the most relevant intervention for addressing fatigue in MS. Fatigue in MS is primarily caused by neurological factors, muscle weakness, or impaired mobility, not by a lack of oxygen. The priority for MS-related fatigue is managing energy levels through activity planning and rest, not providing supplemental oxygen unless there is a specific indication of respiratory distress or hypoxia.
C. Teach the importance of hot showers to help relax:
Hot showers may help some individuals relax, but they are not the best intervention for managing fatigue in MS. In fact, heat can sometimes worsen symptoms in clients with MS, a phenomenon known as Uhthoff’s phenomenon, where heat increases neurological symptoms such as muscle weakness, fatigue, or visual disturbances. It is important to educate clients to avoid overheating, which could exacerbate fatigue or other symptoms. Instead, clients should focus on rest, energy conservation, and temperature regulation.
D. Have the client prioritize activities for the day: Fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom in clients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and it can significantly affect their daily functioning. One of the most effective interventions for managing fatigue in MS is to encourage the client to prioritize activities and manage their energy levels throughout the day. By scheduling the most important or demanding tasks earlier in the day when energy levels tend to be higher, clients can conserve energy for essential activities. Additionally, teaching clients to break tasks into smaller, manageable steps and incorporating frequent rest periods can help minimize fatigue and prevent overexertion. Prioritizing activities ensures that the client is not overwhelmed and can still maintain independence while managing their symptoms effectively.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Administer antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications to prevent further clot formation:
While antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications are essential in the management of STEMI to reduce the risk of further clot formation, they are not the primary goal of treatment in the immediate phase. These medications are typically administered before or during the procedure (such as during cardiac catheterization) to prevent new clots, but the primary objective is to restore blood flow to the heart muscle through reperfusion therapy, either by angioplasty or thrombolytics.
B) Relieve the blockage in the coronary artery and restore blood flow to the heart muscle:
This is the primary goal of treatment in STEMI. The most urgent intervention for a client with an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is to relieve the blockage in the coronary artery and restore blood flow to the ischemic heart muscle. This is typically achieved through percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) via cardiac catheterization, which involves either angioplasty (ballooning the artery) or stent placement. Restoring blood flow as quickly as possible reduces the extent of myocardial damage, improves the prognosis, and prevents complications like heart failure.
C) Provide pain relief and initiate cardiac rehabilitation:
Pain relief is important in the initial management of STEMI, typically with nitroglycerin and opioids for chest pain. However, the immediate goal in the ED is to address the underlying cause of the chest pain, which is the blockage of blood flow. Cardiac rehabilitation, while essential for long-term recovery, is not the immediate goal of treatment during the acute phase of a STEMI. The primary focus should be on restoring circulation to the affected myocardium.
D) Stabilize the client's blood pressure and administer thrombolytic therapy:
Stabilizing the client’s blood pressure is important, especially if the client is hypotensive, but it is not the main treatment goal. Thrombolytic therapy (clot-busting medications) is an option if PCI is not available or if it needs to be done within a certain time frame; however, the current best practice in STEMI is to perform PCI as soon as possible. Thrombolytics are typically used when PCI is not immediately available, but the ideal treatment is to restore blood flow through catheterization in a timely manner, as it is more effective than thrombolytic therapy at re-opening the blocked artery.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Similar to the angina attacks you had in the past:
This response is not entirely accurate. Angina refers to chest pain that occurs when the heart's demand for oxygen exceeds its supply, usually due to partial blockage of the coronary arteries. NSTEMI (non-ST elevation myocardial infarction) is different from angina in that it involves actual heart muscle injury or damage due to partial or intermittent blockage of a coronary artery, whereas angina does not cause permanent heart muscle damage. Therefore, describing NSTEMI as similar to past angina attacks would be misleading.
B. A condition characterized by coronary arteries vasodilating:
This is incorrect. NSTEMI occurs due to a partial blockage or narrowing of the coronary arteries, usually caused by a blood clot that forms around a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque. The blockage restricts blood flow to the heart muscle, causing injury or infarction. Vasodilation (the widening of blood vessels) is not a characteristic of NSTEMI; in fact, it is the constriction or blockage of the coronary arteries that leads to this type of heart attack.
C. A term used to describe an irregular heartbeat:
This is incorrect. NSTEMI is not related to an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia directly. While arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) can occur as a result of a heart attack, NSTEMI specifically refers to a type of heart attack that is not accompanied by the characteristic ST-segment elevation seen on an electrocardiogram (ECG) in a STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction). It indicates a partial blockage of a coronary artery and is generally less severe than STEMI.
D. Is a less severe type of heart attack compared to STEMI:
This is the most accurate response. NSTEMI is a type of heart attack that is often considered less severe than STEMI, but still involves heart muscle injury. The difference between NSTEMI and STEMI lies in the ECG findings: STEMI involves a full-thickness myocardial infarction with a significant blockage of the artery, as indicated by ST-segment elevation on an ECG. In NSTEMI, there is a partial blockage or temporary decrease in blood flow, and the ST-segment does not elevate on the ECG, but biomarkers (like troponin) are elevated, indicating heart muscle damage. NSTEMI is often less severe in terms of the extent of damage compared to STEMI, but it still requires urgent treatment to prevent further complications.
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