Multiple Sclerosis Practice Questions With
Complete Solutions
Which of the following statements made by a patient diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) would alert
the healthcare provider that the patient requires additional instruction about the disease? Select all that
apply.
1. "A hot bath in the evenings will help relax my muscles and relieve pain."
2. "I will avoid foods that are high in fiber to prevent problems with my bowels."
3. "It's important for me to inspect my skin daily make sure there aren't any injuries."
4. "Use of stress reduction strategies can decrease the severity of my symptoms." - CORRECT ANSWERS
1,2
The patient should be taught about factors that can exacerbate symptoms, such as heat and stress. In
addition, the patient is at risk for burns due to impaired peripheral sensation, so bathing temperatures
should be carefully monitored.
The healthcare provider is teaching a group of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) about
common bladder problems. Which of the following will the healthcare provider include? Select all that
apply.
1. "Drinking caffeinated beverages can help you empty your bladder completely."
2. "MS may cause the bladder to contract and empty more often than usual."
3. "You should not attempt to urinate until you feel that your bladder is full."
4. "Drink 1.5 - 2 liters of water each day so your urine isn't too concentrated."
5. "Drinking lots of citrus juices will decrease the amount of bacteria in your urinary tract."
6. "Patients with MS are at increased risk of developing urinary tract infections." - CORRECT ANSWERS
2, 4, 6
MS heightens a patient's risk of urinary tract infections. Patients should plan to void on a regular basis.
Voiding at least every 2 hours will decrease urine stasis.
When assessing a patient diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), which of the following would require
immediate action by the healthcare provider?
1) Fatigue and depression
2) Paresthesia and tremor
3) Nystagmus and diplopia
4) Dysphagia and congested cough - CORRECT ANSWERS 4
These are all signs and symptoms of MS, but some can be more serious than others. Select the clinical
manifestations of MS that may result in a serious secondary problem for the patient.Dysphagia puts the
patient at risk for aspiration pneumonia, and the congested cough is an indication that aspiration has
already occurred.
The healthcare provider is planning care for a patient diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Which of
the following is the priority intervention?
, 1) Advise the patient to drink liquids through a straw
2) Monitor the patient's temperature to avoid overheating
3) Teach the patient's family how to meet the patient's needs
4) Encourage bed rest in order to conserve strength - CORRECT ANSWERS 1
Problems related to dysphagia (such as aspiration) can be minimized if the patient drinks liquids through
a straw. Sensitivity to heat is a concern with MS, but monitoring the patient's temperature is not
necessary.
The client newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) states, "I don't understand how I got multiple
sclerosis. Is it genetic?" On which statement should the nurse base the response?
1. Genetics may play a role in susceptibility to MS, but the disease may be caused by a virus.
2. There is no evidence suggesting there is any chromosomal involvement in developing MS.
3. Multiple sclerosis is caused by a recessive gene, so both parents had to have the gene for the client to
get MS.
4. Multiple sclerosis is caused by an autosomal dominant gene on the Y chromosome,so only fathers can
pass it on. - CORRECT ANSWERS 1.
The exact cause of MS is not known,but there is a theory stating a slow virus is partially responsible. A
failure of apart of the immune system may also beat fault. A genetic predisposition involving
chromosomes 2, 3, 7, 11, 17, 19, and X may be involved.
2. There is some evidence supporting a genetic component involved in developing MS.
3. A specific gene has not been identified to know if the gene is recessive or dominant.
4. The X chromosome, not the Y chromosome,may be involved.
The 30-year-old female client is admitted with complaints of numbness, tingling, a crawling sensation
affecting the extremities, and double vision which has occurred two(2) times in the month. Which
question is most important for the nurse to ask the client?
1. "Have you experienced any difficulty with your menstrual cycle?"
2. "Have you noticed a rash across the bridge of your nose?"
3. "Do you get tired easily and sometimes have problems swallowing?"
4. "Are you taking birth control pills to prevent conception?" - CORRECT ANSWERS 3.
These are clinical manifestation of MS and can go un diagnosed for years be-cause of the remitting-
relapsing nature of the disease. Fatigue and difficulty swallowing are other symptoms of MS.
1. MS does not affect the menstrual cycle.
2. A rash across the bridge of the nose suggests systemic lupus erythematosus
4. Taking birth control medications should not produce these symptoms or the pattern of occurrence.
The nurse enters the room of a client diagnosed with acute exacerbation of multiple sclerosis and finds
the client crying. Which statement is the most therapeutic response for the nurse to make?
Complete Solutions
Which of the following statements made by a patient diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) would alert
the healthcare provider that the patient requires additional instruction about the disease? Select all that
apply.
1. "A hot bath in the evenings will help relax my muscles and relieve pain."
2. "I will avoid foods that are high in fiber to prevent problems with my bowels."
3. "It's important for me to inspect my skin daily make sure there aren't any injuries."
4. "Use of stress reduction strategies can decrease the severity of my symptoms." - CORRECT ANSWERS
1,2
The patient should be taught about factors that can exacerbate symptoms, such as heat and stress. In
addition, the patient is at risk for burns due to impaired peripheral sensation, so bathing temperatures
should be carefully monitored.
The healthcare provider is teaching a group of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) about
common bladder problems. Which of the following will the healthcare provider include? Select all that
apply.
1. "Drinking caffeinated beverages can help you empty your bladder completely."
2. "MS may cause the bladder to contract and empty more often than usual."
3. "You should not attempt to urinate until you feel that your bladder is full."
4. "Drink 1.5 - 2 liters of water each day so your urine isn't too concentrated."
5. "Drinking lots of citrus juices will decrease the amount of bacteria in your urinary tract."
6. "Patients with MS are at increased risk of developing urinary tract infections." - CORRECT ANSWERS
2, 4, 6
MS heightens a patient's risk of urinary tract infections. Patients should plan to void on a regular basis.
Voiding at least every 2 hours will decrease urine stasis.
When assessing a patient diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), which of the following would require
immediate action by the healthcare provider?
1) Fatigue and depression
2) Paresthesia and tremor
3) Nystagmus and diplopia
4) Dysphagia and congested cough - CORRECT ANSWERS 4
These are all signs and symptoms of MS, but some can be more serious than others. Select the clinical
manifestations of MS that may result in a serious secondary problem for the patient.Dysphagia puts the
patient at risk for aspiration pneumonia, and the congested cough is an indication that aspiration has
already occurred.
The healthcare provider is planning care for a patient diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Which of
the following is the priority intervention?
, 1) Advise the patient to drink liquids through a straw
2) Monitor the patient's temperature to avoid overheating
3) Teach the patient's family how to meet the patient's needs
4) Encourage bed rest in order to conserve strength - CORRECT ANSWERS 1
Problems related to dysphagia (such as aspiration) can be minimized if the patient drinks liquids through
a straw. Sensitivity to heat is a concern with MS, but monitoring the patient's temperature is not
necessary.
The client newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) states, "I don't understand how I got multiple
sclerosis. Is it genetic?" On which statement should the nurse base the response?
1. Genetics may play a role in susceptibility to MS, but the disease may be caused by a virus.
2. There is no evidence suggesting there is any chromosomal involvement in developing MS.
3. Multiple sclerosis is caused by a recessive gene, so both parents had to have the gene for the client to
get MS.
4. Multiple sclerosis is caused by an autosomal dominant gene on the Y chromosome,so only fathers can
pass it on. - CORRECT ANSWERS 1.
The exact cause of MS is not known,but there is a theory stating a slow virus is partially responsible. A
failure of apart of the immune system may also beat fault. A genetic predisposition involving
chromosomes 2, 3, 7, 11, 17, 19, and X may be involved.
2. There is some evidence supporting a genetic component involved in developing MS.
3. A specific gene has not been identified to know if the gene is recessive or dominant.
4. The X chromosome, not the Y chromosome,may be involved.
The 30-year-old female client is admitted with complaints of numbness, tingling, a crawling sensation
affecting the extremities, and double vision which has occurred two(2) times in the month. Which
question is most important for the nurse to ask the client?
1. "Have you experienced any difficulty with your menstrual cycle?"
2. "Have you noticed a rash across the bridge of your nose?"
3. "Do you get tired easily and sometimes have problems swallowing?"
4. "Are you taking birth control pills to prevent conception?" - CORRECT ANSWERS 3.
These are clinical manifestation of MS and can go un diagnosed for years be-cause of the remitting-
relapsing nature of the disease. Fatigue and difficulty swallowing are other symptoms of MS.
1. MS does not affect the menstrual cycle.
2. A rash across the bridge of the nose suggests systemic lupus erythematosus
4. Taking birth control medications should not produce these symptoms or the pattern of occurrence.
The nurse enters the room of a client diagnosed with acute exacerbation of multiple sclerosis and finds
the client crying. Which statement is the most therapeutic response for the nurse to make?
