Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has advancing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Which of the following interventions is the nurse's priority?

a) Administering Superscript 4oxygen
b) Assisting with Subscript 2high-protein diet
c) Facilitating Superscript 3communication
d) Scheduling regular Subscript 6physical therapy

Answer 1

In the case of advancing Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the nurse's priority intervention is facilitating communication, as it is crucial for the patient's quality of life and ability to express needs when other functions decline.

Step-by-step explanation:

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurological disorder that leads to the degeneration of motor neurons, which are essential for voluntary muscle movements. As ALS advances, patients experience increased muscle weakness, eventually losing the ability to control speech, breathing, and swallowing. In the later stages, patients may become paralyzed and require machine assistance for breathing and communication. Given the context provided by the student's question, the nurse's priority intervention for a client with advancing ALS should be facilitating communication. This is crucial as maintaining the ability to communicate is essential for the patient's quality of life and ability to express needs, particularly as other functions decline.