Chapter 63: Multiple Sclerosis Flashcards
A 29-year-old woman presents with fatigue, muscle weakness, and occasional blurred vision. Her medical history is unremarkable, but her symptoms have progressively worsened over the last six months. During the clinical discussion, the nurse recalls that multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive disorder. Which of the following additional findings would most strongly support a diagnosis of MS?
A. Symptoms resolve completely between episodes.
B. Demyelination of nerve fibers seen on MRI.
C. A family history of Parkinson’s disease.
D. Positive genetic marker HLA-B27.
B. Demyelination of nerve fibers seen on MRI.
Rationale: MS is characterized by disseminated demyelination of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord, which can be detected using MRI imaging. Symptom resolution between episodes (A) may occur in early MS but is nonspecific and does not confirm the diagnosis. A family history of Parkinson’s disease (C) and the HLA-B27 marker (D) are not directly associated with MS. The hallmark finding for MS diagnosis is evidence of CNS demyelination.
A 35-year-old man is diagnosed with MS and asks the nurse about risk factors. The nurse explains that MS is a multifactorial disease. Which of the following factors is most likely associated with an increased risk of developing MS?
A. Diagnosis of MS in a sibling and low vitamin D levels
B. African descent and living near the equator
C. Frequent viral infections and living in tropical climates
D. High intake of vitamin D and a sedentary lifestyle
A. Diagnosis of MS in a sibling and low vitamin D levels
Rationale: MS is more prevalent in individuals with a family history of the disease, particularly first-degree relatives. Low levels of vitamin D are also associated with an increased risk of MS.
A nurse is caring for a 50-year-old patient recently diagnosed with MS. Which statement made by the patient indicates an accurate understanding of the disease progression?
A. “This disease will definitely cause severe disability over time.”
B. “Symptoms will remain the same regardless of my age at diagnosis.”
C. “Since I am older, I am more likely to have a progressive form of MS.”
D. “MS always affects women more severely than men.”
C. “Since I am older, I am more likely to have a progressive form of MS.”
Rationale: Patients diagnosed at age 50 or older are more likely to have progressive forms of MS.
A nurse is providing education to a patient recently diagnosed with MS. Which statement by the patient indicates the need for further teaching?
A. “This disease is more common in people of Northern European ancestry.”
B. “Maintaining good vitamin D levels may help reduce my risk of worsening MS.”
C. “MS is unpredictable, but it always causes severe permanent disability.”
D. “The symptoms of MS vary greatly between individuals.”
C. “MS is unpredictable, but it always causes severe permanent disability.”
Rationale: While MS is unpredictable and can lead to severe disability in some cases, many patients experience minimal permanent effects. The variability of symptoms and disease progression highlights the unique impact MS has on individuals.
The nurse is assessing a 40-year-old patient who reports worsening fatigue, numbness in the legs, and muscle spasms. The nurse is aware that MS often has different prevalence rates in various regions. Based on this, which patient characteristic would align most with an increased risk of MS?
A. Living in a region closer to the equator
B. Having African American heritage
C. Living in northern latitudes
D. Being male and under age 20
C. Living in northern latitudes
Rationale: MS is more prevalent further from the equator, and the risk increases in northern latitudes. While MS affects people of all ethnic groups, it is most common in individuals of Northern European ancestry, not African descent (B). MS affects women more frequently than men, making D incorrect.
A patient with multiple sclerosis asks the nurse about what causes the disease. Which response by the nurse is most accurate based on current evidence?
A. “Multiple sclerosis is caused by a specific viral infection that triggers inflammation in the central nervous system.”
B. “The exact cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown, but it likely involves both genetic and environmental factors.”
C. “Multiple sclerosis results from a single genetic mutation that leads to an autoimmune reaction.”
D. “Toxins in the environment are the primary cause of multiple sclerosis in genetically susceptible individuals.”
B. “The exact cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown, but it likely involves both genetic and environmental factors.”
Rationale: The cause of MS is not fully understood but is believed to involve a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors, including possible viral exposures. There is no single gene or specific virus directly identified as the sole cause, making A and C incorrect. Toxins (D) are not considered a primary factor in MS etiology.
A nurse is explaining the role of T cells in the development of multiple sclerosis. Which of the following statements is correct?
A. T cells mistake myelin proteins for a viral antigen and initiate an inflammatory process.
B. T cells attack healthy CNS neurons directly, causing inflammation and axonal damage.
C. T cells cross the blood-brain barrier and immediately begin axonal repair.
D. T cells attack oligodendrocytes, leading to axonal regrowth.
A. T cells mistake myelin proteins for a viral antigen and initiate an inflammatory process.
Rationale: T cells are activated by environmental exposures, such as viral infections, and mistake myelin proteins for viral antigens. This misidentification initiates an inflammatory response, leading to demyelination and subsequent axonal damage.
A nurse is teaching a newly diagnosed patient about the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis. Which patient statement indicates understanding?
A. “Myelin sheaths are permanently destroyed early in the disease process.”
B. “The inflammatory process targets the blood-brain barrier, leaving myelin intact.”
C. “Demyelination slows nerve impulse transmission, causing my symptoms.”
D. “MS only affects the white matter of my brain and spinal cord.”
C. “Demyelination slows nerve impulse transmission, causing my symptoms.”
Rationale: MS causes chronic inflammation and demyelination, which disrupts nerve impulse transmission and leads to symptoms such as weakness or numbness. Early in the disease, myelin may regenerate (A). Both white and gray matter are affected in later stages of the disease (D), and inflammation directly targets myelin proteins, not just the blood-brain barrier (B).
A 45-year-old patient with MS asks why their symptoms come and go. What is the best explanation by the nurse?
A. “The body repairs damaged myelin during periods of remission.”
B. “Symptoms return as the inflammatory process spreads throughout the entire CNS.”
C. “Temporary remissions occur because the axons in your CNS regenerate.”
D. “The disease affects your peripheral nerves, which can recover over time.”
A. “The body repairs damaged myelin during periods of remission.”
Rationale: During periods of remission, inflammation ceases, and oligodendrocytes may repair the damaged myelin, partially or fully restoring nerve impulse transmission. However, as the disease progresses, myelin regeneration becomes less effective. Axons in the CNS (not peripheral nerves) are permanently damaged in advanced MS, making C and D incorrect.
A nurse is caring for a patient with late-stage multiple sclerosis. Which pathological finding is most consistent with disease progression?
A. Widespread axonal regeneration in the CNS
B. Formation of rigid plaques in the white matter
C. Complete restoration of myelin in affected areas
D. Persistent inflammation of the peripheral nervous system
B. Formation of rigid plaques in the white matter
Rationale: In late-stage MS, inflammation subsides and glial scar tissue replaces damaged tissue, leading to the formation of rigid plaques in the CNS white matter. Axonal regeneration (A) and complete myelin restoration (C) are not characteristic of advanced MS. The peripheral nervous system (D) is not directly affected in MS.
A patient with MS is admitted with pneumonia. The nurse understands that the most likely contributing factor is:
A. Chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract.
B. Immune suppression caused by MS medications.
C. Complications of immobility due to disease progression.
D. Damage to respiratory neurons in the peripheral nervous system.
C. Complications of immobility due to disease progression.
Rationale: Pneumonia is a common cause of death in patients with MS due to immobility-related complications, such as decreased lung function and poor clearance of secretions. While immune suppression (B) can increase infection risk, it is not the primary factor in this case. MS primarily affects the CNS, not the peripheral nervous system (D).
Which of the following best describes the role of gliosis in the pathophysiology of MS?
A. It promotes remyelination of damaged axons.
B. It stimulates the regeneration of oligodendrocytes.
C. It decreases plaque formation in white matter.
D. It marks the transition from inflammation to scar tissue formation.
D. It marks the transition from inflammation to scar tissue formation.
Rationale: Gliosis occurs as inflammation subsides, leading to scar tissue formation that replaces damaged myelin and axons. This contributes to plaque formation and progressive loss of nerve function.
A nurse is reviewing the chart of a patient with MS. Which finding would indicate advanced disease progression?
A. Cerebral cortex atrophy noted on imaging
B. Remission of symptoms after an exacerbation
C. Increased regeneration of oligodendrocytes
D. Slowed but intact nerve impulse transmission
A. Cerebral cortex atrophy noted on imaging
Rationale: Cerebral cortex atrophy is associated with late-stage MS and indicates significant disease progression.
A nurse is educating a student about MS pathology. Which of the following statements by the student requires correction?
A. “The immune system mistakenly attacks myelin proteins in the CNS.”
B. “Axonal damage in MS is permanent and contributes to disability.”
C. “Inflammation in MS occurs exclusively in the white matter of the brain.”
D. “T cells play a major role in the autoimmune process seen in MS.”
C. “Inflammation in MS occurs exclusively in the white matter of the brain.”
Rationale: MS affects both white and gray matter in the CNS. Statements A, B, and D are correct and consistent with the described pathophysiology of MS.
A patient with MS asks how the disease might affect life expectancy. The nurse explains:
A. “MS reduces life expectancy by about 20 years, mostly due to brain atrophy.”
B. “Life expectancy in MS is unaffected because it only affects nerve function, not other systems.”
C. “MS leads to death from exacerbations caused by inflammation in the CNS.”
D. “MS reduces life expectancy by about 7 years, often due to complications like pneumonia.”
D. “MS reduces life expectancy by about 7 years, often due to complications like pneumonia.”
Rationale: MS reduces life expectancy by approximately 7 years, often due to secondary complications like infections or immobility-related conditions (e.g., pneumonia).
A nurse is assessing a patient with multiple sclerosis who reports experiencing an electric shock sensation traveling down the spine when flexing the neck. This symptom is best described as:
A. Dysarthria
B. Nystagmus
C. Lhermitte’s sign
D. Dysphagia
C. Lhermitte’s sign
Rationale: Lhermitte’s sign is a temporary sensory symptom in MS described as an electric shock sensation traveling down the spine or into the limbs with neck flexion.
The nurse knows that a patient with multiple sclerosis may experience worsening fatigue. Which factor is most likely to contribute to this symptom?
A. Increased myelin regeneration
B. Hot and humid weather
C. Overuse of the affected muscles
D. Dehydration
B. Hot and humid weather
Rationale: Heat and humidity, along with deconditioning and medication side effects, are known to worsen fatigue in patients with MS. Myelin regeneration (A) does not cause fatigue, and overuse of muscles (C) is not a primary factor. Dehydration (D) may cause fatigue but is not specific to MS.
A patient with MS reports bladder dysfunction characterized by urinary retention and no sensation to void. The nurse suspects:
A. Spastic bladder
B. Flaccid bladder
C. Overactive bladder
D. Stress incontinence
B. Flaccid bladder
Rationale: A flaccid bladder occurs when lesions affect the reflex arc controlling bladder function, leading to urinary retention, absent sensation to void, and no pressure or pain. Spastic bladder (A) causes urinary urgency and frequency. Overactive bladder (C) and stress incontinence (D) are not specific terms used to describe MS-related bladder dysfunction.
Which of the following symptoms is most likely to be the first sign of multiple sclerosis?
A. Blurred or double vision
B. Severe fatigue
C. Dysphagia
D. Complete paralysis
A. Blurred or double vision
Rationale: Vision changes, such as blurred or double vision, red-green color distortion, or blindness in one eye, are often the first signs of MS. Severe fatigue and dysphagia occur later in the disease, while complete paralysis is a rare, advanced manifestation.
A patient with MS reports an “MS hug.” The nurse explains that this symptom is caused by:
A. Inflammation of the spinal cord
B. Permanent nerve damage
C. Cerebellar dysfunction
D. Muscle spasms in the intercostal and abdominal muscles
D. Muscle spasms in the intercostal and abdominal muscles
Rationale: The “MS hug” is a term used to describe pain caused by muscle spasms in the intercostal and abdominal muscles. It is not directly caused by spinal cord inflammation, nerve damage, or cerebellar dysfunction.
Which of the following cognitive symptoms is most commonly associated with MS?
A. Problems with multitasking and word finding
B. General intellectual decline
C. Loss of long-term memory
D. Complete loss of concentration
A. Problems with multitasking and word finding
Rationale: Cognitive issues in MS often include difficulties with multitasking, concentration, short-term memory, speed of processing, and word finding. General intellect remains unchanged, and long-term memory and complete concentration loss are not characteristic.
A patient with MS presents with nystagmus, ataxia, and dysarthria. The nurse recognizes these as:
A. Signs of cerebellar involvement
B. Early signs of MS progression
C. Indicators of spinal cord damage
D. Symptoms related to peripheral neuropathy
A. Signs of cerebellar involvement
Rationale: Nystagmus, ataxia, and dysarthria are classic cerebellar signs in MS, indicating involvement of the cerebellum. These are not early signs (B) nor directly related to spinal cord damage (C) or peripheral neuropathy (D).
A nurse is educating a patient with MS about their diagnosis. Which symptom is most likely to be reported as disabling?
A. Dysphagia
B. Fatigue
C. Tremors
D. Hearing loss
B. Fatigue
Rationale: Fatigue is often the most disabling symptom for patients with MS and can be severe. Dysphagia (A), tremors (C), and hearing loss (D) may occur but are less frequently described as disabling.
The nurse is educating a patient with MS about sexual dysfunction. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “Sexual dysfunction can be caused by spinal cord involvement.”
B. “Loss of sensation can affect my sexual response.”
C. “Emotional changes have no effect on my sexual response.”
D. “Hormonal changes during pregnancy may improve my symptoms.”
C. “Emotional changes have no effect on my sexual response.”
Rationale: Emotional changes, including depression and loss of self-esteem, can affect sexual response in patients with MS. Physiologic issues like spinal cord involvement (A), loss of sensation (B), and hormonal changes during pregnancy (D) are also factors.