Passage / Scenario

The nurse is caring for a 43-year-old client.
Nurses' Notes Vital Signs
Emergency Department
0800: A 43-year-old client comes to the emergency department due to lower back pain and bilateral leg weakness. The client reports that the weakness began 3 days ago in the feet and has gradually worsened. The client sought treatment today after becoming "so weak that I fell while walking" and noticing new hand weakness and difficulty swallowing. Back pain radiates down both legs and is rated as 5 on a scale of 0-10. The client recently recovered from an illness with flu-like symptoms. The client reports a history of hypertension and takes no medications. Assessment of the lower extremities reveals muscle strength of 2/5 and decreased sensation to pinprick. Achilles tendon and patellar reflexes are decreased