Show
1.The nurse is teaching a class of unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), about turning and repositioning clients in a long-term care setting. Which client requires extreme caution and is at greatest risk for a skin tear? a.An 85-year old client with breathing problems receiving daily doses of prednisone 2.A nurse who is applying eyedrops to a client holds pressure against the corner of the eye nearest the nose after instilling the drops. The client asks what the nurse is doing. What response a.This prevents systemic absorption 3.A nurse is caring for a client with the meningitis. Which laboratory values would the nurse monitor to identify potential complications of the disorder? Select all that apply a.Clotting factors b.Sodium Levels 4.Assessment findings reveal that a client admitted to the hospital has a contact type 1 hypersensitivity (immediate) to latex. Which preventive nursing intervention is best in planning care for this client? a.Communicate the need for avoidance therapy to the health care team 5.Which finding indicate that a patient may have hypovolemia (select all that apply) a.Increased Bounding pulse b.Elevated blood pressure c.Skin pale and cool touch 6.Which findings indicate that the patient may have hypervolemia? Select all that apply a.Increased, bounding pulse b.Jugular venous distention c.Presence of crackles d.Elevated blood pressure 7. student nur se is learning about blood transfusion compatibilities. What information does this include? Select all that apply a.Donor blood type b.A can donate to recipient blood type AB c.Donor blood type O can donate to anyone 8.After teaching a client who is diagnosed with new-onset status epilepticus and prescribed phenytoin (Dilantin). The nurse assesses the client's understanding. Which statement by the client indicates a correct understanding of the teaching? a.Even when my seizures stop, I will continue to take this drug OverviewWhat is myasthenia gravis?Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own parts. MG affects the communication between nerves and muscles (the neuromuscular junction). People with MG lose the ability to control muscles voluntarily. They experience muscle weakness and fatigue of various severity. They may not be able to move muscles in the eyes, face, neck and limbs. MG is a lifelong neuromuscular disease. There isn’t a cure, but treatments can help and some patients may achieve remission. How common is myasthenia gravis?MG affects about 20 out of every 100,000 people. Experts estimate that 36,000 to 60,000 Americans have this neuromuscular disease. The actual number of people affected may be higher, as some people with mild cases may not know they have the disease. Who might get myasthenia gravis?MG mostly affects women aged 20 to 40 and men aged 50 to 80. About one in 10 cases of MG occur in teenagers (juvenile MG). The illness can affect people of all ages but is rare in children. These factors increase risk:
What are the types of myasthenia gravis?Autoimmune MG is the most common form of this neuromuscular disease. Autoimmune MG may be:
How does myasthenia gravis affect pregnancy?In rare instances, pregnancy brings on MG symptoms for the first time. If you already have MG, symptoms may worsen during the first trimester or immediately after childbirth. In some patients, MG symptoms improve during pregnancy. Certain MG treatments are not safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Your healthcare provider can guide you through this time, ensuring a healthy pregnancy. Is myasthenia gravis inherited?In general, autoimmune MG isn’t inherited. It’s rare for more than one member of the same family to receive a diagnosis of autoimmune MG. The non-autoimmune form of MG (also called congenital myasthenic syndrome) can affect more than one member of the same family. A pregnant woman cannot pass MG to her infant. However, about one in 10 babies born to women with MG develop a temporary condition called neonatal myasthenia. These infants may have weak cries or sucking reflexes at birth. These symptoms go away in a few weeks. This condition doesn’t increase a child’s risk of developing MG in the future. Symptoms and CausesWhat causes myasthenia gravis?MG is an autoimmune disease. For unknown reasons, the body’s immune system attacks itself. In someone with a healthy immune system, nerves and muscles communicate a bit like a tiny baseball game:
In a healthy person, nerves signal muscles work effortlessly, like one ballplayer catching a ball and throwing it to a teammate. But people with MG have antibodies that destroy the receptor sites, blocking nerve-muscle communication. The “catcher” can’t catch the ball, and communication becomes sluggish or doesn’t work at all. What is the connection between thymus gland problems and MG?Many people with MG have thymus gland conditions that may bring on MG. The thymus is a small organ in the upper chest that is part of the lymphatic system. It makes white blood cells that fight infections. Two-thirds of young people with MG have overactive thymic cells (thymic hyperplasia). About one in 10 people with MG have thymus gland tumors called thymomas, which may be benign (not cancer) or cancerous. What are the symptoms of myasthenia gravis?Initial symptoms of MG often come on suddenly. The neuromuscular disease causes your muscles to get weaker when you’re active. Muscle strength returns when you rest. The intensity of muscle weakness often changes from day to day. Most people feel strongest at the start of the day and weakest at the end of the day. Symptoms of MG include:
In rare instances, MG affects muscles in your respiratory system. You may have shortness of breath or more serious breathing problems. Diagnosis and TestsHow is myasthenia gravis diagnosed?Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and assess your symptoms. You may undergo these tests:
Management and TreatmentWhat are the complications of myasthenia gravis?Weakness and fatigue from MG can keep you from participating in activities you enjoy. This may lead to depression. Up to one in five people with MG experience a myasthenic crisis or severe respiratory muscle weakness. They may need a respirator or other treatments to help them breathe. This is a life-threatening medical emergency. Weak muscles, infections, fevers and reactions to medications can cause a crisis. How is myasthenia gravis treated?Myasthenia gravis is a treatable disease and most patients will live a relatively normal life with treatment. Treatments for MG focus on improving symptoms. Treatments include:
PreventionHow can I prevent myasthenia gravis?Healthcare providers don’t know what triggers autoimmune diseases like MG. There isn’t anything you can do to prevent it. How can I alleviate myasthenia gravis symptoms?If you have MG, these steps can ease fatigue and boost muscle strength:
Outlook / PrognosisWhat is the prognosis (outlook) for people who have myasthenia gravis?With treatment, most people with MG lead full, active lives. Symptoms tend to reach their peak in severity within one to three years of initial diagnosis. For 15% of people with MG, the disease only affects the eyes and face (ocular MG). Living WithWhen should I contact my healthcare provider?You should call your healthcare provider if you experience:
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?You may want to ask your healthcare provider:
A note from Cleveland Clinic It’s challenging to live with a chronic illness like MG. Although there isn’t a cure, most people with MG lead productive, active lives. Severe disabilities from MG are extremely rare. Treatments and lifestyle changes can ease symptoms. Your healthcare provider can suggest ways to manage symptoms so you can continue to enjoy life. Which clinical manifestations with a nurse expect for a client who has myasthenia gravis?People with myasthenia gravis may experience the following symptoms:. weakness of the eye muscles (called ocular myasthenia). drooping of one or both eyelids (ptosis). blurred or double vision (diplopia). a change in facial expression.. difficulty swallowing.. shortness of breath.. impaired speech (dysarthria). What are the most common early symptoms of myasthenia gravis?Common symptoms of myasthenia gravis include:. droopy eyelids.. double vision.. difficulty making facial expressions.. problems chewing and difficulty swallowing.. slurred speech.. weak arms, legs or neck.. shortness of breath and occasionally serious breathing difficulties.. Which of the following describes myasthenia gravis?Myasthenia gravis (my-us-THEE-nee-uh GRAY-vis) is characterized by weakness and rapid fatigue of any of the muscles under your voluntary control. It's caused by a breakdown in the normal communication between nerves and muscles.
Does myasthenia gravis cause tremors?In patients with MG, this test will lead to shaking or a gradual drooping of arms, hands, or fingers.
|