HESI RN Med Surg
HESI RN Med Surg ( 40 Questions)
A 9-month-old with Tay-Sachs disease is admitted due to seizures. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?
The ability to crawl is not the most important assessment for the nurse to obtain. Tay-Sachs disease causes progressive loss of motor skills, so the infant may not be able to crawl or may have regressed from crawling. However, this is not a specific sign of the disease and does not indicate the severity of the condition.
The eyes with cherry-red spot are not the most important assessment for the nurse to obtain. Tay-Sachs disease causes accumulation of gangliosides in the retina, which results in a cherry-red spot in the center of the macula. However, this is not a specific sign of the disease and does not indicate the severity of the condition.
The difficulty with swallowing is not the most important assessment for the nurse to obtain. Tay-Sachs disease causes muscle weakness and spasticity, which may affect the infant's ability to swallow. However, this is not a specific sign of the disease and does not indicate the severity of the condition.
The exaggerated startle reaction is the most important assessment for the nurse to obtain. Tay-Sachs disease causes increased sensitivity to sound and touch, which results in an exaggerated startle reaction. This is a specific sign of the disease and indicates the severity of the condition. The exaggerated startle reaction may also trigger seizures, which can be life-threatening. The nurse should monitor the infant's vital signs, seizure activity, and neurological status closely.
Choice A reason: The ability to crawl is not the most important assessment for the nurse to obtain. Tay-Sachs disease causes progressive loss of motor skills, so the infant may not be able to crawl or may have regressed from crawling. However, this is not a specific sign of the disease and does not indicate the severity of the condition.
Choice B reason: The eyes with cherry-red spot are not the most important assessment for the nurse to obtain. Tay-Sachs disease causes accumulation of gangliosides in the retina, which results in a cherry-red spot in the center of the macula. However, this is not a specific sign of the disease and does not indicate the severity of the condition.
Choice C reason: The difficulty with swallowing is not the most important assessment for the nurse to obtain. Tay-Sachs disease causes muscle weakness and spasticity, which may affect the infant's ability to swallow. However, this is not a specific sign of the disease and does not indicate the severity of the condition.
Choice D reason: The exaggerated startle reaction is the most important assessment for the nurse to obtain. Tay-Sachs disease causes increased sensitivity to sound and touch, which results in an exaggerated startle reaction. This is a specific sign of the disease and indicates the severity of the condition. The exaggerated startle reaction may also trigger seizures, which can be life-threatening. The nurse should monitor the infant's vital signs, seizure activity, and neurological status closely.