Get ready for NCLEX® success with today’s scenario: The nurse in the medical-surgical unit is providing discharge teaching to a client newly diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Which medication should the nurse review when focusing on decreasing glutamate levels in the brain?
A. Riluzole
B. Allopurinol
C. Edaravone
D. Metformin
Scroll down for the correct answer!
The correct answer to today’s NCLEX-RN® question is…
A. Riluzole
Rationale: Riluzole is used for clients with ALS to reduce damage to motor neurons by decreasing glutamate levels in the brain.
Major Takeaway
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that affects both upper and lower motor neurons. Unfortunately, there is no cure for ALS, so treatment is typically geared at relieving symptoms, providing psychological support, and delaying the progression of the disease. This can be achieved by administering certain medications, such as riluzole, which reduces damage to motor neurons by decreasing glutamate levels in the brain, and edaravone, an antioxidant that destroys free radicals that may cause damage to the neurons. Metformin and allopurinol are not used to treat ALS.

Incorrect Answer Explanations
B. Allopurinol
Rationale: Allopurinol is used for clients with gout to decrease uric acid production.
C. Edaravone
Rationale: Edaravone is an antioxidant used for clients with ALS to destroy free radicals that may cause damage to the neurons.
D. Metformin
Rationale: Metformin is used for clients with type 2 diabetes mellitus to improve glucose control.
Want to learn more about this topic?
Watch the Osmosis video: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

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