Cancer
What is the most common risk factor for cancer?
What is exposure to a carcinogen?
This type of seizure features a sudden blank stare and brief interruption in activity.
What is an absence seizure?
This is the most common first symptom of MG and is characterized by drooping of the eyelid.
What is ptosis? (diplopia, or double vision, is also reported!)
Which neurotransmitters are imbalanced in Parkinson’s disease?
What are decreased dopamine and increased acetylcholine?
What triggers GBS in about two-thirds of patients?
What is a recent respiratory or GI infection?
What is extravasation?
What is leakage of vesicant (tissue-damaging) drug from a vein into the surrounding tissue during IV administration, can cause damage ranging from mild irritation to severe tissue injury... CAN CAUSE NECROSIS!!!
What is the priority nursing action during an active tonic-clonic seizure?
What is turn the patient on their side and protect from injury?
This diagnostic test uses a short-acting anticholinesterase to temporarily improve muscle strength in MG.
What is the Tensilon (edrophonium) test?
This medication combo is considered first-line for controlling motor symptoms in Parkinson’s.
What is levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet)?
This life-threatening complication of GBS requires the nurse to monitor vital capacity closely.
What is respiratory failure?
A nurse notices a patient receiving chemotherapy has oral ulcers, fatigue, and a low WBC. What is the priority action?
What is implement neutropenic precautions and notify the provider?
This anticonvulsant can cause hair loss and should be avoided in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary
What is Valproate (Depakote)?
What is the peak time to give pyridostigmine in relation to meals?
What is 30–60 minutes before meals?
The TRAP acronym is used to describe the four cardinal signs of Parkinson’s disease. Name all four
What are Tremor at rest, Rigidity, Akinesia/Bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and Postural instability?
What is the hallmark symptom of GBS seen on neuro exam?
What is areflexia (absent deep tendon reflexes)?
Name the three components of the TNM cancer staging system.
What are Tumor size, lymph Node involvement, and presence of Metastasis?
What is the defining characteristic of the postictal phase of a seizure?
What is altered consciousness, confusion, or fatigue?
A patient with MG is receiving plasmapheresis. What is a key nursing assessment during this procedure and why?
What is monitoring for signs of hypocalcemia such as tingling around the lips or muscle cramps, because citrate used during the procedure binds calcium?
A patient with advanced Parkinson’s is at risk for aspiration. Name two nursing interventions to reduce this risk during meals.
What are elevating the head of the bed while eating and administering medications (like Sinemet) before meals to improve motor function?
Name one therapy used to quickly reduce autoimmune symptoms in acute GBS.
What is IVIG or plasmapheresis?
Name all components of the acronym "CAUTION"
C- change in bowel or bladder habits
A- a sore that does not heal
U- unusual bleeding or discharge
T- thickening or lump in breast or any other part of the body
I- indigestion or difficulty swallowing
O- obvious change in a wart or mole
N- nagging cough or hoarseness
A patient is seizing for 7 minutes. What term describes this condition and what is the first-line treatment?
What is status epilepticus, and treatment is IV lorazepam (Ativan)?
Both myasthenic and cholinergic crises cause muscle weakness, but one results from too little medication and the other from too much. Describe one key clinical difference between the two and how the Tensilon test helps identify them
What is: Myasthenic crisis is caused by under-medication and presents with flaccid muscle weakness and difficulty breathing, which improves with Tensilon.
Cholinergic crisis is caused by over-medication and presents with muscle twitching, excessive salivation, bradycardia, and worsened symptoms after Tensilon
This surgical intervention creates a lesion in the globus pallidus to reduce tremors and rigidity.
What is a stereotactic pallidotomy?
Why is opioid pain management not the best choice in GBS patients?
What is because the pain is neuropathic and responds better to agents like gabapentin or carbamazepine?