Which of the following interventions would the nurse emphasize during education to assist the patient diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia in managing their pain?
Chew food on unaffected side
Teeth should be brushed prior to each meal
Avoid using an electric razor
Food should be served hot or cold
The Correct Answer is A
A. Chewing food on the unaffected side helps to prevent triggering pain episodes in the affected side of the face, which is critical for managing trigeminal neuralgia effectively.
B. While maintaining oral hygiene is important, the timing of brushing teeth is less critical than managing pain during eating. Brushing teeth should be done gently to avoid pain but is not specifically prioritized over other interventions.
C. Avoiding an electric razor is not relevant to managing trigeminal neuralgia pain; it relates more to safety and comfort in shaving rather than pain management.
D. Food should not be served hot or cold as extreme temperatures can trigger pain in trigeminal neuralgia patients; it's better to serve food at a moderate temperature.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Continuing antiepileptic drugs is crucial in patients with brain tumors, as these medications help prevent seizure activity, which is a common complication associated with brain tumors and surgical procedures.
B. While pain control is important, the specific medications used for postoperative pain management are determined after surgery; patients should be informed about general pain management strategies rather than specific drug administration.
C. Aspirin, an anticoagulant, should typically be stopped before surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding complications; therefore, patients should not continue taking it unless specifically directed by their healthcare provider.
D. Patients are usually advised to discontinue alternative or complementary therapies before surgery due to potential interactions with anesthesia or surgical procedures, and it should be clarified with the healthcare provider before proceeding.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Assessing pupils is important, but it provides only partial information about the overall neurologic status and does not give a comprehensive picture of improvement or deterioration.
B. Vital signs can indicate some changes in condition but are not specific to neurologic status and do not provide detailed insight into cognitive or motor function.
C. Performing serial Glasgow Coma Scales allows for a standardized and objective assessment of a patient's level of consciousness, motor responses, and verbal responses over time, making it the most effective method to evaluate neurologic status.
D. The Mini Mental Status Exam provides useful information about cognitive function but may not capture acute changes in neurologic status as effectively as the Glasgow Coma Scale.