Question

Review the etiology, risk factors, clinical manifestations and the pathophysiology of Multiple Sclerosis and choose one key point which you believe is significant to your practice as a nurse practitioner and answer the following question.

Describe your key point and discuss how the knowledge of your chosen key point impacts the care you provide as a nurse practitioner? The role of all registered nurses including advanced practice nurses is patient education. As such your answer should discuss a different manner by which this information impacts the care you provide as a nurse practitioner.

Answer 1

Multiple sclerosis can be defined as a chronic,progressive and degenerative disease which affects the CNS .it can be characterised by demyelination of the neurons.it affects between the age of 20 to 40.real cause is unknown but it can be said that it occurs as a result of an autoimmune response or viral infection.

Lumbar puncture result shows increased gamma globulin level but the serum globulin remains normal

Clinical features

Fatigue weakness

Tremor

Ataxia

Blurred vision and diplopia

Involuntary eye movement

Decreased sensation

Disturbed bowel and bladder

Positive babinski reflex and abnormal reflex

Memory changes

Ataxia

Vertigo.

Intervention includes protect from injury and provide safety

Promote regular bowel and bladder

Assist in regular exercise

Initiate speech therapy

Provide information about the national multiple sclerosis society.

Provide assistive device.