In patients with ALS, weakness associated with LMN loss causes more significant dysfunction than from UMN loss. 

You are treating your patient with ALS in a home environment, and are working on a variety of interventions at this visit including gait, strength, and ROM exercises.  Your main concern at this visit should be:

At what spinal cord injury level can a patient be independent with respiratory function?

As a therapist, we are responsible for educating and assisting the “team” at home also, not just the patient. Six items were discussed in class regarding patient/family/caregiver education with patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Discuss at least 5 of those items with which we can assist the patient and family.

Which of the following conditions can result in a pseudoexacerbation in patients with Multiple Sclerosis?

Spinal shock lasts about 1 to 6 months before resolving completely. 

After an episode of Autonomic Dysreflexia, signs and symptoms never resolve in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Cranial nerves that are typically involved with ALS include: 

Recovery of motor function generally plateaus about 6 to 9 months after injury. 

A person who has this type of attention deficit would not be allowed to drive a car most likely.