Multiple Sclerosis Practice Questions With Complete
Solutions
A 32-year-old client recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
is a full-time aerobics exercise instructor at a local fitness center.
Which statements contain the correct information to give the
client when answering her specific questions about lifestyle?
Select all that apply.
A) "Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is recommended prior to
vigorous physical exercise."
B) "You will tolerate exercise better in an air-conditioned
room."
C) "Acupuncture may benefit some of your symptoms."
D) "Drinking cold water is recommended during exercise."
E) "You will be able to maintain your exercise teaching
schedule." Correct Answers Answer: B, C, D
Explanation: Symptoms of MS are exacerbated by increased
body temperature. Exercising in a cold room and drinking cold
beverages keep body temperature down. Acupuncture has low
risk and may be beneficial for some symptoms. Hyperbaric
oxygen therapy carries more risk than benefit. It is unlikely that
a newly diagnosed client with MS will be able to tolerate a full-
time exercise instructor role.
A client admitted with an exacerbation of multiple sclerosis is
demonstrating frustration with eating because hand and arm
spasms prevent the proper use of utensils. What should the nurse
do to assist this client?
A) Consult with Occupational Therapy regarding assistive
devices for meals.
B) Counsel the client to select finger foods for meals.
,C) Plan time to feed the client.
D) Consult with Physical Therapy regarding hand and arm
exercises. Correct Answers Answer: A
Explanation Since the ability to feed oneself is essential to
positive self-concept and self-esteem, the nurse should consult
with Occupational Therapy for devices that the client can use to
maintain independence at meal times. The nurse should not
counsel the client to select finger foods for meals, or feed the
client. This would not support the client's self-concept and self-
esteem needs. Physical Therapy might be consulted for hand
splints, but hand and arm exercises might not be beneficial for
this client
A client diagnosed with multiple sclerosis has an acute onset of
visual changes, fatigue, and leg weakness. The client says that
the last time this happened, recovery occurred in a few weeks.
Which classification of multiple sclerosis is the client
experiencing?
A) Progressive-relapsing
B) Secondary-progressive
C) Relapsing-remitting
D) Primary-progressive Correct Answers Answer: C
Explanation: There are four classifications of multiple sclerosis.
The client has an exacerbation of symptoms and has a history of
full recovery. This is classified as relapsing-remitting and is the
most common type. Primary-progressive is a steady worsening
of the disease with occasional minor recovery. Secondary-
progressive begins as relapsing-remitting but the disease
becomes worse between exacerbations. Progressive-relapsing is
rare, with the disease progressing from the onset with periods of
exacerbation.
,A client has had multiple sclerosis (MS) for 15 years and has
received various drug therapies. What is the primary reason why
the nurse has found it difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of
the drugs that the client has used?
1.The client exhibits intolerance to many drugs.
2.The client experiences spontaneous remissions from time to
time.
3.The client requires multiple drugs simultaneously.
4.The client endures long periods of exacerbation before the
illness responds to a particular drug. Correct Answers 2
Evaluating drug effectiveness is difficult because a high
percentage of clients with MS exhibit unpredictable episodes of
remission, exacerbation, and steady progress without apparent
cause. Clients with MS do not necessarily have increased
intolerance to drugs, nor do they endure long periods of
exacerbation before the illness responds to a particular drug.
Multiple drug use is not what makes evaluation of drug
effectiveness difficult.
A client with a history of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
is expecting her first child. What would be indicated for this
client?
A) Suggest reproductive counseling, as multiple sclerosis can be
genetic.
B) Instruct to expect a period of remission after delivery of the
baby.
C) Instruct to expect an exacerbation of symptoms while
pregnant.
, D) Discuss pain control during labor, as contractions will be
severe. Correct Answers Answer: A
Explanation A definite genetic factor has not been established;
however, studies suggest that genetic factors make some
individuals more susceptible to the disorder than others.
Reproductive counseling would be recommended for this client.
Pregnancy often brings about remission of multiple sclerosis,
but with a slightly increased relapse rate postpartum. The
strength of uterine contractions in a client with multiple sclerosis
is not severe, and because clients often have lessened sensation,
labor may be almost painless.
A client with multiple sclerosis (MS) is experiencing bowel
incontinence and is starting a bowel retraining program. Which
strategy is not appropriate?
1.Eating a diet high in fiber.
2.Setting a regular time for elimination.
3.Using an elevated toilet seat.
4.Limiting fluid intake to 1,000 mL/day. Correct Answers 4
Limiting fluid intake is likely to aggravate rather than relieve
symptoms when a bowel retraining program is being
implemented. Furthermore, water imbalance, as well as
electrolyte imbalance, tends to aggravate the signs and
symptoms of MS. A diet high in fiber helps keep bowel
movements regular. Setting a regular time each day for
elimination helps train the body to maintain a schedule. Using
an elevated toilet seat facilitates transfer of the client from the
wheelchair to the toilet or from a standing to a sitting position.
Solutions
A 32-year-old client recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
is a full-time aerobics exercise instructor at a local fitness center.
Which statements contain the correct information to give the
client when answering her specific questions about lifestyle?
Select all that apply.
A) "Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is recommended prior to
vigorous physical exercise."
B) "You will tolerate exercise better in an air-conditioned
room."
C) "Acupuncture may benefit some of your symptoms."
D) "Drinking cold water is recommended during exercise."
E) "You will be able to maintain your exercise teaching
schedule." Correct Answers Answer: B, C, D
Explanation: Symptoms of MS are exacerbated by increased
body temperature. Exercising in a cold room and drinking cold
beverages keep body temperature down. Acupuncture has low
risk and may be beneficial for some symptoms. Hyperbaric
oxygen therapy carries more risk than benefit. It is unlikely that
a newly diagnosed client with MS will be able to tolerate a full-
time exercise instructor role.
A client admitted with an exacerbation of multiple sclerosis is
demonstrating frustration with eating because hand and arm
spasms prevent the proper use of utensils. What should the nurse
do to assist this client?
A) Consult with Occupational Therapy regarding assistive
devices for meals.
B) Counsel the client to select finger foods for meals.
,C) Plan time to feed the client.
D) Consult with Physical Therapy regarding hand and arm
exercises. Correct Answers Answer: A
Explanation Since the ability to feed oneself is essential to
positive self-concept and self-esteem, the nurse should consult
with Occupational Therapy for devices that the client can use to
maintain independence at meal times. The nurse should not
counsel the client to select finger foods for meals, or feed the
client. This would not support the client's self-concept and self-
esteem needs. Physical Therapy might be consulted for hand
splints, but hand and arm exercises might not be beneficial for
this client
A client diagnosed with multiple sclerosis has an acute onset of
visual changes, fatigue, and leg weakness. The client says that
the last time this happened, recovery occurred in a few weeks.
Which classification of multiple sclerosis is the client
experiencing?
A) Progressive-relapsing
B) Secondary-progressive
C) Relapsing-remitting
D) Primary-progressive Correct Answers Answer: C
Explanation: There are four classifications of multiple sclerosis.
The client has an exacerbation of symptoms and has a history of
full recovery. This is classified as relapsing-remitting and is the
most common type. Primary-progressive is a steady worsening
of the disease with occasional minor recovery. Secondary-
progressive begins as relapsing-remitting but the disease
becomes worse between exacerbations. Progressive-relapsing is
rare, with the disease progressing from the onset with periods of
exacerbation.
,A client has had multiple sclerosis (MS) for 15 years and has
received various drug therapies. What is the primary reason why
the nurse has found it difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of
the drugs that the client has used?
1.The client exhibits intolerance to many drugs.
2.The client experiences spontaneous remissions from time to
time.
3.The client requires multiple drugs simultaneously.
4.The client endures long periods of exacerbation before the
illness responds to a particular drug. Correct Answers 2
Evaluating drug effectiveness is difficult because a high
percentage of clients with MS exhibit unpredictable episodes of
remission, exacerbation, and steady progress without apparent
cause. Clients with MS do not necessarily have increased
intolerance to drugs, nor do they endure long periods of
exacerbation before the illness responds to a particular drug.
Multiple drug use is not what makes evaluation of drug
effectiveness difficult.
A client with a history of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
is expecting her first child. What would be indicated for this
client?
A) Suggest reproductive counseling, as multiple sclerosis can be
genetic.
B) Instruct to expect a period of remission after delivery of the
baby.
C) Instruct to expect an exacerbation of symptoms while
pregnant.
, D) Discuss pain control during labor, as contractions will be
severe. Correct Answers Answer: A
Explanation A definite genetic factor has not been established;
however, studies suggest that genetic factors make some
individuals more susceptible to the disorder than others.
Reproductive counseling would be recommended for this client.
Pregnancy often brings about remission of multiple sclerosis,
but with a slightly increased relapse rate postpartum. The
strength of uterine contractions in a client with multiple sclerosis
is not severe, and because clients often have lessened sensation,
labor may be almost painless.
A client with multiple sclerosis (MS) is experiencing bowel
incontinence and is starting a bowel retraining program. Which
strategy is not appropriate?
1.Eating a diet high in fiber.
2.Setting a regular time for elimination.
3.Using an elevated toilet seat.
4.Limiting fluid intake to 1,000 mL/day. Correct Answers 4
Limiting fluid intake is likely to aggravate rather than relieve
symptoms when a bowel retraining program is being
implemented. Furthermore, water imbalance, as well as
electrolyte imbalance, tends to aggravate the signs and
symptoms of MS. A diet high in fiber helps keep bowel
movements regular. Setting a regular time each day for
elimination helps train the body to maintain a schedule. Using
an elevated toilet seat facilitates transfer of the client from the
wheelchair to the toilet or from a standing to a sitting position.
