Question

A nurse is performing a focused assessment on a client who reports having difficulty swallowing and a continuous headache. The nurse should identify that these findings can indicate which of the following conditions?

A. Chest disorder
B. Thyroid disorder
C. Musculoskeletal disorder
D. Central nervous system disorde

Answer 1

Difficulty swallowing and a continuous headache can indicate a Central Nervous System disorder, possibly due to a tumor, stroke, or infection like meningitis, affecting cranial nerves or certain brain regions.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a nurse is performing a focused assessment on a client who reports having difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and a continuous headache, the nurse should identify that these symptoms can indicate a condition affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS). These symptoms can be associated with issues such as a brain tumor, stroke, or infections such as meningitis, which involve the CNS and can manifest as headaches or difficulty in swallowing due to affected cranial nerves or brain regions. Difficulty swallowing could be related to the dysfunction of cranial nerves that innervate the muscles used in the swallowing process, whereas continuous headaches could be indicative of increased intracranial pressure among other possibilities. Therefore, the correct answer is D. Central nervous system disorder.