Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 75%
Simulated
A client is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Which pathophysiological process should the nurse use when providing the client with information about this disease prognosis?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
ALS is a progressive motor neuron disease causing degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, atrophy, and eventual respiratory failure. It is fatal (average survival 2-5 years). It is not caused by spinal injury, cognition is usually preserved, and sensory/autonomic systems are spared.