Multiple Sclerosis - Answer An immune-mediated, progressive demyelinating disease of
the CNS.
Risk Factors - Answer Age - most commonly people who are age 20-40
Gender - Women are twice as likely as men
Family History - 1 in 3 chance if parent or sibling has MS
Certain Infections - Epstein-Barr virus linked to MS
Ethnicity - European
Other Autoimmune Diseases - Thyroid Disease, Type 1 DM, Inflammatory Bowel
Disease
Environmental- smoking, lack of vitamin D exposure
Cells that make the myelin sheath in the CNS - Answer oligodendrocytes
Demyelination interrupts the flow of nerve impulses and results in a variety of
manifestation, depending on the nerves affected. The areas most frequently affected
are: - Answer the optic nerves, chiasm, and tracts; the cerebrum; the brainstem and
cerebellum; and the spinal cord.
Relapsing-remitting MS - Answer Approximately 85% of patients have this type of MS.
Characterized by clearly acute attacks with full recovery or with sequelae and residual
deficit upon recovery. Periods between disease relapses are characterized by lack of
disease progression.
With each relapse, recovery is usually complete; however, residual deficits may occur
and accumulate over time, contributing to functional decline.
Over time, most patients with this type of MS progress to a secondary progressive
course, in which disease progression occurs with or without relapses.
Primary Progressive MS - Answer Approximately 15% of patients have this type of MS.
Disabling symptoms steadily increase, with rare plateaus and temporary minor
improvement.
It may result in quadriparesis, cognitive dysfunction, visual loss, and brainstem
syndromes.
S/S of MS - Answer Varied based on the location of the lesions.
Bladder dysfunction
Bowel dysfunction
Cognitive impairment
Depression
Fatigue
Gait impairment
Heat intolerance
Pain
Paroxysmal symptoms
Seizures
Sexual dysfunction
, NRSG 3200 Unit 10 Multiple Sclerosis
Sleep disturbances
Spasticity
Speech, swallow , and respiratory dysfunction
Tremors
Vertigo
Visual disturbances
____ affects most people with MS and is often the most disabling symptom. - Answer
Fatigue
Avoiding hot temperatures, effective treatment of depression and anemia, a change in
medication as well as occupational and physical therapies may... - Answer help manage
fatigue
Many people with MS need daily analgesic medications. In some cases, pain is
managed with ____, ___, or ____ - Answer opioids; anticonvulsant medications;
antidepressants
Among women who are perimenopausal, those with MS are more likely to have pain
related to ____ - Answer osteoporosis
In addition to estrogen loss, immobility and corticosteroid therapy play a role in the
development of ____ among women with MS. ____ testing is recommended for this
high-risk group. - Answer osteoporosis; Bone mineral density
____ occurs in 90% of MS patients, most often in the lower extremities, and can include
loss of abdominal reflexes. - Answer Spasticity
Researchers reported that patients with MS have higher rates of... - Answer depression,
arthritis, diabetes, coronary artery disease, migraine headaches, and cancer.
Complications of MS - Answer UTIs
Constipation
Pressure ulcers
Contracture deformities
Dependent pedal edema
Pneumonia
Osteoporosis
Emotional, social, marital, economic, and vocational problems
During exacerbations, new symptoms ____ and existing ones ____. - Answer appear;
worsen
During remissions, symptoms ____ or ____. - Answer decrease; disappear