The nurse is caring for a patient with a new diagnosis of Guillian-Barré syndrome. What does the nurse expect to find when assessing this patient?
Increased muscle weakness
Pronounced muscle atrophy
Diminished visual acuity
Impaired cognitive reasoning
The Correct Answer is A
A) Increased muscle weakness: Guillain-Barré syndrome is characterized by the rapid onset of muscle weakness, which typically starts in the lower extremities and ascends. The nurse would expect to find varying degrees of muscle weakness as a hallmark symptom, which may progress to involve the upper limbs and respiratory muscles.
B) Pronounced muscle atrophy: While muscle weakness is a significant feature of Guillain-Barré syndrome, pronounced muscle atrophy is not typically seen immediately. Muscle atrophy may occur over time due to disuse but is not a direct initial finding upon assessment.
C) Diminished visual acuity: Visual acuity may not be directly affected in Guillain-Barré syndrome. While some patients may experience ocular symptoms, diminished visual acuity is not a primary feature of the syndrome and would not be expected as a common assessment finding.
D) Impaired cognitive reasoning: Guillain-Barré syndrome primarily affects the peripheral nervous system and does not usually impact cognitive function. Patients typically maintain full cognitive abilities, so the nurse should not anticipate findings
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View Related questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Re-assess in 15 minutes: While regular assessments are important in a neurological evaluation, if the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score is 15, indicating the patient is fully alert and oriented, there may not be an immediate need to re-assess so soon unless the patient's condition changes.
B) Ask the patient to open eyes on command: If the GCS score is already determined to be 15, this indicates that the patient is responsive and capable of opening their eyes spontaneously. Asking the patient to open their eyes is unnecessary in this context since the score already reflects full responsiveness.
C) Document the findings: Documenting the GCS score of 15 is crucial as it establishes a baseline for the patient’s neurological status. This documentation is essential for ongoing assessments and monitoring, providing a record of the patient’s condition at this moment.
D) Notify the physician: Notifying the physician is not required for a GCS score of 15, as this score indicates a normal level of consciousness. Communication with the physician would be warranted only if there were changes in the patient's condition or a lower GCS score observed.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) This would indicate pitting edema: Tenting is not indicative of pitting edema, which is characterized by a depression left in the skin after pressure is applied. Tenting specifically refers to the skin's elasticity and is assessed by pinching the skin, observing how quickly it returns to its normal position.
B) This may indicate dehydration, but might not be reliable in an older adult: Tenting is often a sign of dehydration, as it reflects decreased skin elasticity. However, in elderly individuals, skin changes due to aging (like reduced elasticity and moisture) may make this assessment less reliable. Factors such as medications, health status, and overall skin integrity can also influence this observation, making it necessary to consider other indicators of hydration.
C) This means the client is well hydrated: Tenting does not indicate adequate hydration. In fact, it typically suggests the opposite, as well-hydrated skin should return to normal quickly after being pinched.
D) This indicates peripheral neuropathy: While peripheral neuropathy can affect skin and tissue integrity, tenting specifically relates to skin turgor and elasticity rather than nerve function. Tenting is not a direct indicator of neuropathy; other assessments would be needed to evaluate nerve health.