Exam 37: Coordinating Care for Patients With Spinal Cord Disorders

A patient has a new onset of back pain radiating down the left leg.For which health problem should the nurse expect this patient to be evaluated?

A patient receives a definitive diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.What finding occurred to validate this diagnosis?

A patient is experiencing increasing flaccid upper arms while the lower extremities periodically cramp and contract.On which health problem should the nurse focus when assessing this patient?

A patient with low back pain asks why nerve conduction studies are prescribed.What explanation should the nurse provide to the patient relative to this diagnostic test?

A patient asks what smoking cigarettes has to do with low back pain.How should the nurse respond to this patient?

A patient with multiple sclerosis experiences exacerbations of new symptoms that last a few days and then disappear.Which type of multiple sclerosis is this patient most likely experiencing?

The latest blood pressure reading for a patient with a spinal cord injury is 210/140 mm Hg.What action should the nurse take first?

A client with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is prescribed riluzole (Rilutek).What statement indicates additional teaching is required about the effects of this medication?

A patient has a 4 cm spinal cord tumor located at T10.Which therapeutic treatment should the nurse anticipate will be ordered for this patient?

The nurse is caring for a patient with unrelenting low back pain caused by a herniated disk.What instruction should the nurse provide to this patient to help with the pain?

A victim of a motor vehicle crash is diagnosed with a neck whiplash.Which manifestation should the nurse expect to assess in this patient?

A patient is admitted for diagnosis and treatment of ongoing spasticity and flaccidity of the extremities.Which diagnostic test should the nurse expect to be prescribed that will definitively determine this patient's health problem?

A patient is suspected as having a spinal cord tumor.Which diagnostic test should the nurse expect to be prescribed to definitively diagnose this patient's problem?

A patient with multiple sclerosis is admitted for treatment of clinical manifestations.What should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient?

The nurse is reviewing orders written for a patient with a new spinal cord injury.Which order should the nurse question before completing?

A patient with low back pain asks what aspirin is supposed to do help with the pain.How should the nurse respond to this patient?

The nurse notes crusting of secretions around the pins of a patient with a Halo device.What action should be taken at this time?

A patient is diagnosed with spinal stenosis.Which manifestation is caused by age-related loss of spinal muscle strength?

A patient with multiple sclerosis is developing speech difficulties.What should the nurse realize as being the reason for this new manifestation?

The nurse is reviewing orders written for a patient returning from surgery to remove a spinal cord tumor.Which order should the nurse implement immediately?