NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS - EXAM 3
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
2025/2026
What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)? - ANS a rapidly progressing, (brain and spinal
cord) disease that affects voluntary muscle control. ALS results in gradual degeneration and
death of motor neurons, causing muscle weakness and atrophy, but does not impair the senses
or ability to think.
What is the expected function of motor neurons? - ANS Motor neurons are located
throughout the CNS and serve as controlling and communication links between the nervous
system and voluntary muscles. Messages are passed from upper motor neurons (located in the
brain) to lower motor neurons (located in the spinal cord) and on to particular muscles to start
movement and muscle contraction.
What is the pathology of ALS? - ANS ALS, both upper and lower neurons degenerate and die.
Unable to function, muscles gradually weaken, atrophy, and twitch (fasciculation). The
progressive degeneration leads to death of the cells, resulting in the brain losing the ability to
initiate and control muscle movement. Eventually, all voluntary muscles are affected, and
patients are paralyzed, but sensation, thinking, and alertness is still intact.
Is ALS fatal? - ANS yes. patients will typically die from respiratory failure.
What are clinical manifestations of ALS? - ANS - a gradual onset of muscle weakness
- Paralysis
- muscle cramps
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,- muscle stiffness
- head drop
- tongue atrophy
- slurred speech
- voice changes
- difficulty swallowing
- weight loss
- dropping objects
- uncontrolled laughter/crying
What are the most concerning complications associated with ALS? - ANS - Respiratory failure
/ compromise
- Aspiration
- PE and DVT (impaired mobility)
Additional Complications:
- contractures (muscle atrophy)
- skin breakdown (impaired mobility)
- weight loss
- depression
what is the PRIORITY when caring for a patient with ALS? - ANS AIRWAY - teaching to watch
for compromise of this would be very important. Watching for a dusky skin color.
how do we know if a patient diagnosed with ALS is at risk for respiratory compromise? -
ANS - weakened cough
- impaired swallowing
- increased difficulty in breathing when lying flat.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,- difficulty swallowing food or fluid
what causes respiratory failure in patients diagnosed with ALS? - ANS Loss of diaphragm's
ability to contract and relax. Resulting in inability to breath.
What is required to be diagnosed with ALS? - ANS The patient must have manifestations of
both upper and lower motor neuron damage that is not attributed to other causes
Upper - spasticity
Lower- Flaccidity
How can diagnose ALS? - ANS CT, MRI, EMG, genetic testing
What medications are used for the treatment of ALS? - ANS · Baclofen - reduces muscle
cramping
· Laxatives/stool softeners - reduce constipation
· Analeptics - causes CNS stimulation to combat fatigue and weakness
· Tricyclic antidepressants - reduces excessive salivation, pain, and depression
· Riluzole - slow ALS progression
· Edaravone - slows ALS progression / reduces decline in daily functioning through antioxidant
properties that protect neurons
What are treatments used for ALS? - ANS Airway management - intubation, ventilator,
diaphragm pacing, tracheostomy
nutritional management - gastrostomy feeding tubes to combat aspiration & weight loss
What interprofessional teams should a nurse contact for a patient diagnosed with ALS? -
ANS OT - help with ADLs
PT - help with active and passive ROM for muscle health
ST - swallow test and prevent aspiration
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, what is the PRIORITY nursing assessment for patients with ALS? - ANS AIRWAY!
Monitor for Hypoxemia - restlessness, confusion, irritability, tachycardia, SpO2 %, dusky skin
tone, etc.
Due to the diaphragm's inability to contract, this can result in respiratory failure and impaired
gas exchange!
what assessments should a nurse preform on patients diagnosed with ALS? - ANS - airway
- vitals: SpO2, HR, RR
- swallow ability
- aspiration risk & signs of aspiration
- musculoskeletal strength
- skin integrity: increased risk for skin break down
- coping skills / depression screening
What are nursing actions for patients with ALS? - ANS - vital signs
- administer medications & fluids as ordered
- elevate HOB while patient is eating, drinking, & brushing teeth (prevent aspiration)
- Turn, cough, deep breathing exercises
- reposition patient Q 2 hrs (prevent skin breakdown)
What should the nurse do when a patient with ALS is eating, drinking, or brushing their teeth? -
ANS - Elevate HOB > 45 degrees
- limit distractions (no TV, talking, or activites)
What education should the nurse provide to patients diagnosed with ALS? - ANS - disease
prognosis and process
- future need to respiratory aid (vent, tracheostomy, etc.)
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
2025/2026
What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)? - ANS a rapidly progressing, (brain and spinal
cord) disease that affects voluntary muscle control. ALS results in gradual degeneration and
death of motor neurons, causing muscle weakness and atrophy, but does not impair the senses
or ability to think.
What is the expected function of motor neurons? - ANS Motor neurons are located
throughout the CNS and serve as controlling and communication links between the nervous
system and voluntary muscles. Messages are passed from upper motor neurons (located in the
brain) to lower motor neurons (located in the spinal cord) and on to particular muscles to start
movement and muscle contraction.
What is the pathology of ALS? - ANS ALS, both upper and lower neurons degenerate and die.
Unable to function, muscles gradually weaken, atrophy, and twitch (fasciculation). The
progressive degeneration leads to death of the cells, resulting in the brain losing the ability to
initiate and control muscle movement. Eventually, all voluntary muscles are affected, and
patients are paralyzed, but sensation, thinking, and alertness is still intact.
Is ALS fatal? - ANS yes. patients will typically die from respiratory failure.
What are clinical manifestations of ALS? - ANS - a gradual onset of muscle weakness
- Paralysis
- muscle cramps
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,- muscle stiffness
- head drop
- tongue atrophy
- slurred speech
- voice changes
- difficulty swallowing
- weight loss
- dropping objects
- uncontrolled laughter/crying
What are the most concerning complications associated with ALS? - ANS - Respiratory failure
/ compromise
- Aspiration
- PE and DVT (impaired mobility)
Additional Complications:
- contractures (muscle atrophy)
- skin breakdown (impaired mobility)
- weight loss
- depression
what is the PRIORITY when caring for a patient with ALS? - ANS AIRWAY - teaching to watch
for compromise of this would be very important. Watching for a dusky skin color.
how do we know if a patient diagnosed with ALS is at risk for respiratory compromise? -
ANS - weakened cough
- impaired swallowing
- increased difficulty in breathing when lying flat.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,- difficulty swallowing food or fluid
what causes respiratory failure in patients diagnosed with ALS? - ANS Loss of diaphragm's
ability to contract and relax. Resulting in inability to breath.
What is required to be diagnosed with ALS? - ANS The patient must have manifestations of
both upper and lower motor neuron damage that is not attributed to other causes
Upper - spasticity
Lower- Flaccidity
How can diagnose ALS? - ANS CT, MRI, EMG, genetic testing
What medications are used for the treatment of ALS? - ANS · Baclofen - reduces muscle
cramping
· Laxatives/stool softeners - reduce constipation
· Analeptics - causes CNS stimulation to combat fatigue and weakness
· Tricyclic antidepressants - reduces excessive salivation, pain, and depression
· Riluzole - slow ALS progression
· Edaravone - slows ALS progression / reduces decline in daily functioning through antioxidant
properties that protect neurons
What are treatments used for ALS? - ANS Airway management - intubation, ventilator,
diaphragm pacing, tracheostomy
nutritional management - gastrostomy feeding tubes to combat aspiration & weight loss
What interprofessional teams should a nurse contact for a patient diagnosed with ALS? -
ANS OT - help with ADLs
PT - help with active and passive ROM for muscle health
ST - swallow test and prevent aspiration
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, what is the PRIORITY nursing assessment for patients with ALS? - ANS AIRWAY!
Monitor for Hypoxemia - restlessness, confusion, irritability, tachycardia, SpO2 %, dusky skin
tone, etc.
Due to the diaphragm's inability to contract, this can result in respiratory failure and impaired
gas exchange!
what assessments should a nurse preform on patients diagnosed with ALS? - ANS - airway
- vitals: SpO2, HR, RR
- swallow ability
- aspiration risk & signs of aspiration
- musculoskeletal strength
- skin integrity: increased risk for skin break down
- coping skills / depression screening
What are nursing actions for patients with ALS? - ANS - vital signs
- administer medications & fluids as ordered
- elevate HOB while patient is eating, drinking, & brushing teeth (prevent aspiration)
- Turn, cough, deep breathing exercises
- reposition patient Q 2 hrs (prevent skin breakdown)
What should the nurse do when a patient with ALS is eating, drinking, or brushing their teeth? -
ANS - Elevate HOB > 45 degrees
- limit distractions (no TV, talking, or activites)
What education should the nurse provide to patients diagnosed with ALS? - ANS - disease
prognosis and process
- future need to respiratory aid (vent, tracheostomy, etc.)
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
