Question

A college student is recovering from Guillain-Barré. The student asks the nurse, "Will having this disease affect my ability to learn and function mentally?" Which response is appropriate? A. "Guillain-Barrè does not affect cognitive function." B. "Don't worry about school at this time." C. "I will ask your doctor for you." D. "You should get in touch with your school because you will not be able to handle the stress of trying to learn."

Short answer

Answer: Guillain-Barrè does not affect cognitive function.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Guillain-Barré syndrome

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare neurological disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. This can lead to muscle weakness, numbness, and even paralysis. However, it does not usually affect the brain or cognitive function. With proper treatment, most people with Guillain-Barré make a full recovery. Now that we have a basic understanding of Guillain-Barré syndrome, let's evaluate each of the response options.

Evaluate Response A

"Guillain-Barrè does not affect cognitive function." This response is accurate because Guillain-Barré syndrome primarily affects the peripheral nervous system and does not impact cognitive function or learning ability. Therefore, this response is appropriate.

Evaluate Response B

"Don't worry about school at this time." While the student may likely experience physical challenges due to Guillain-Barré syndrome, this response is dismissive of their concerns and may not be helpful in addressing their question. This response is not appropriate.

Evaluate Response C

"I will ask your doctor for you." Although offering to seek more information from a medical professional is a helpful gesture, it may be unnecessary as cognitive impairment is not associated with Guillain-Barré. This response is not the most appropriate.

Evaluate Response D

"You should get in touch with your school because you will not be able to handle the stress of trying to learn." This response assumes that the student will not be able to handle the stress of learning due to their illness, although Guillain-Barré generally does not impact cognitive function. Making this assumption could cause unnecessary stress and fear for the student. This response is not appropriate.

Choose the appropriate response

Based on the analysis of each response option and our understanding of Guillain-Barré syndrome, the correct answer is: A. "Guillain-Barrè does not affect cognitive function."