Which reason explains why a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is uniquely prone to depression?

Intellectual capacity is not affected.

Communication is altered.

Mobility is limited.

Nutritional intake is poor.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Intellectual capacity is not affected:

This statement refers to the fact that ALS primarily affects motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis, but it typically does not directly impact cognitive function or intellectual capacity. While cognitive impairment is not a hallmark feature of ALS, some individuals may experience changes in cognitive function or behavior, such as executive dysfunction or frontotemporal dementia, in later stages of the disease. However, depression in ALS is not primarily linked to changes in intellectual capacity but rather to other factors such as altered communication, physical limitations, and loss of autonomy.

B. Communication is altered:

ALS can affect the muscles involved in speech and swallowing, leading to difficulties in communicationAs the disease progresses, patients may experience dysarthria (difficulty speaking clearly) and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), which can impair their ability to communicate effectively with others. Altered communication can result in frustration, social isolation, and feelings of being misunderstood, all of which are risk factors for depression.

C. Mobility is limited:

ALS causes progressive muscle weakness and paralysis, which can significantly impair mobility over time. As the disease advances, individuals with ALS may become increasingly dependent on mobility aids such as wheelchairs or may require assistance with mobility tasks. Limited mobility can lead to feelings of loss of independence, decreased participation in activities, and increased dependence on caregivers, all of which can contribute to depression.

D. Nutritional intake is poor:

ALS can affect the muscles involved in swallowing and chewing, leading to difficulties with eating and drinking. Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a common symptom in ALS and can result in poor nutritional intake and weight loss. Malnutrition and weight loss are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in ALS, and they can also contribute to feelings of weakness, fatigue, and overall decline in quality of life, which may exacerbate depression.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Check the client for a fecal impaction.

This intervention is important for managing autonomic dysreflexia because a fecal impaction can trigger autonomic dysreflexia by causing rectal distention. However, it is not the first action the nurse should take. Promptly addressing the immediate cause of autonomic dysreflexia is crucial to prevent complications.

B. Ensure the room temperature is warm.

This intervention is important for maintaining the client's comfort and preventing temperature-related complications. However, it is not the first action the nurse should take when suspecting autonomic dysreflexia. Immediate interventions to address the underlying cause of autonomic dysreflexia are necessary to prevent serious complications such as stroke or seizure.

C. Check the client's bladder for distention.

This is the correct action to take first. Bladder distention is one of the most common triggers of autonomic dysreflexia in individuals with spinal cord injuries. A distended bladder stimulates autonomic reflexes, leading to a sudden increase in blood pressure. Therefore, the nurse should assess the client's bladder for distention and initiate appropriate interventions such as catheterization to relieve urinary retention.

D. Raise the head of the bed.

While elevating the head of the bed can help reduce blood pressure in some situations, it is not the first action the nurse should take when suspecting autonomic dysreflexia. Elevating the head of the bed may exacerbate autonomic dysreflexia by increasing venous return and blood pressure. Therefore, addressing the underlying cause of autonomic dysreflexia, such as bladder distention, takes priority.

A. Fresh fish B. Cheddar cheese C. Cherries D. Chicken

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Fresh fish

Fresh fish does not contain significant amounts of tyramine. Therefore, there is no need to eliminate fresh fish from the client's diet due to its interaction with selegiline.

B. Cheddar cheese

This is the correct answer. Cheddar cheese is a high-tyramine food and should be eliminated from the client's diet when taking MAOIs. Aged cheeses, such as cheddar, contain high levels of tyramine due to the fermentation process, which can increase the risk of a hypertensive crisis when combined with MAOIs.

C. Cherries

Cherries do not contain significant amounts of tyramine. Therefore, there is no need to eliminate cherries from the client's diet due to their interaction with selegiline.

D. Chicken

Chicken does not contain significant amounts of tyramine. Therefore, there is no need to eliminate chicken from the client's diet due to its interaction with selegiline.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Which reason explains why a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is uniquely prone to depression?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who has a spinal cord injury. The nurse suspects that the client has autonomic dysreflexia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is modifying the diet of a client who has Parkinson's disease and a prescription for selegiline, a monamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Which of the following foods should the nurse eliminate from the client's diet?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse enters a client's room and finds the client on the floor in the clonic phase of a tonic-clonic seizure. Which of the following interventions should the nurse take?

A nurse is collecting data from a client who has increased intracranial pressure and is informed by the charge nurse that the client demonstrates decorticate posturing. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect to observe?

A nurse is preparing to administer diazepam 3 mg IM. The amount available is diazepam for injection 5 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

A few days after a Cerebral Vascular Accident, the patient's family asks the nurse if tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a drug therapy option now. The nurse's response based on the knowledge that this drug must be used within:

Which condition would indicate to the nurse that the patient has a phenytoin (Dilantin) toxicity?

A patient with Parkinson's disease asks the nurse why anticholinergics are used in the treatment. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?

A nurse is assisting with caring for a client who has a new concussion following a motor-vehicle crash. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following manifestations of increased intracranial pressure?