The client diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD) is being admitted with a fever and patchy infiltrates in the lung fields on the chest x-ray. Which clinical manifestations of PD would explain this assessment data?

Mask-like face and shuffling gait

Lack of arm swing and bradykinesia

Pill rolling of fingers and flat affect

Difficulty swallowing and immobility

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A) Mask-like face and shuffling gait:
While the mask-like face and shuffling gait are common clinical features of Parkinson's Disease (PD), they do not directly explain the fever or the patchy infiltrates seen on the chest x-ray. The mask-like face is due to reduced facial muscle activity and is associated with the motor symptoms of PD, while the shuffling gait results from bradykinesia (slowness of movement).

B) Lack of arm swing and bradykinesia:
Lack of arm swing and bradykinesia are motor symptoms of PD that are indicative of decreased movement and muscle rigidity. While they impact a patient’s mobility and dexterity, they are not directly associated with lung infiltrates or fever.

C) Pill rolling of fingers and flat affect:
Pill rolling (a characteristic tremor where patients move their fingers as if rolling a pill) and flat affect (a reduced emotional expression) are hallmark features of Parkinson's Disease, but again, they do not explain the fever or lung infiltrates.

D) Difficulty swallowing and immobility:
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) is a common and serious symptom in patients with Parkinson's Disease. Due to the loss of control over the muscles involved in swallowing, patients with PD are at high risk for aspiration (food, liquids, or saliva entering the lungs), which can lead to aspiration pneumonia. This condition often presents with fever, chest infiltrates, and respiratory distress, which directly correlates with the patient's fever and lung infiltrates seen on the chest x-ray.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) Assess lung sounds and respiratory rate at least every 2 hours:
In a patient with Myasthenia Gravis (MG) who has undergone thymectomy, monitoring respiratory status is critical. MG is a neuromuscular disorder that can lead to respiratory muscle weakness, which may be exacerbated post-operatively. Assessing lung sounds and respiratory rate at least every 2 hours is crucial to detect early signs of respiratory compromise, including hypoventilation or atelectasis.

B) Assess and document pain level once every shift:
While pain assessment is important, especially after a thymectomy, this action alone does not directly address the immediate issue of ineffective breathing patterns. In patients with MG, respiratory complications are a priority concern. Pain management should be part of the overall plan of care, but it is secondary to monitoring respiratory function in the acute post-operative period. Pain can affect respiratory effort, but it should be managed in the context of more pressing issues like airway and breathing assessment.

C) Maintain sequential compression device (SCD's) while in bed:
While SCDs are important in preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients who are immobile, they are not the most appropriate intervention for a client with ineffective breathing patterns. The primary concern in a post-thymectomy patient with MG is respiratory function.

D) Elevate the head of the bed ten degrees:
While elevating the head of the bed can help with comfort and potentially improve ventilation in some patients, it is not the most specific or effective intervention for managing ineffective breathing patterns in a patient with MG. For optimal respiratory function, it is typically more beneficial to elevate the head of the bed to a higher degree (e.g., 30-45 degrees) to enhance lung expansion, rather than just 10 degrees.

A. Establish IV access apply 2L O2 via nasal cannula, and notify provider B. Assess below injury for noxious stimuli anticipate order hypertensive medication C. Administer acetaminophen and initiate intravenous (IV) fluids anticipate order for atropine D. Lower the head of the bed and apply a cool compress to the forehead

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A) Establish IV access, apply 2L O2 via nasal cannula, and notify provider:
While establishing IV access and providing oxygen are important aspects of managing many emergencies, this patient's symptoms suggest the presence of autonomic dysreflexia rather than a primary respiratory or circulatory issue. In autonomic dysreflexia, the primary concern is to remove the noxious stimulus (such as a full bladder, bowel impaction, or tight clothing) that is causing the severe hypertension and bradycardia.

B) Assess below injury for noxious stimuli, anticipate order for hypertensive medication:
The patient’s symptoms are consistent with autonomic dysreflexia, a serious condition that occurs in individuals with a spinal cord injury at or above the T6 level. The body’s autonomic nervous system overreacts to noxious stimuli (such as a distended bladder, bowel impaction, or skin irritation) below the level of injury, leading to a severe hypertensive crisis, bradycardia, and sympathetic hyperactivity. The nurse should immediately assess for and relieve any noxious stimuli below the injury level (e.g., checking for a full bladder, constipation, or tight clothing) and anticipate an order for antihypertensive medications if the blood pressure remains elevated.

C) Administer acetaminophen and initiate intravenous (IV) fluids, anticipate order for atropine:
While pain and discomfort (which can exacerbate autonomic dysreflexia) may need to be managed, acetaminophen is not the priority in this case. The priority is addressing the underlying cause of autonomic dysreflexia, such as relieving noxious stimuli. Additionally, atropine is used for bradycardia, but in autonomic dysreflexia, the bradycardia is secondary to the hypertensive crisis and usually resolves once the noxious stimulus is removed.

D) Lower the head of the bed and apply a cool compress to the forehead:
Although lowering the head of the bed may help reduce intracranial pressure and applying a cool compress may provide comfort, these interventions do not address the underlying cause of the autonomic dysreflexia.

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The client diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD) is being admitted with a fever and patchy infiltrates in the lung fields on the chest x-ray. Which clinical manifestations of PD would explain this assessment data?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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