Question

A client is suspected of having myasthenia gravis. What are the most significant initial nursing assessments that should be performed?

Answer 1

Answer:

Effectiveness of respiratory exchange and ability to swallow

Explanation:

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness and rapid fatigue when muscle is required. When a patient is suspected of having this disease, the initial evaluations to substantiate or deny this suspicion should be to evaluate the effectiveness of respiratory exchange and the ability to swallow, as these are bodily activities that require muscle work.

The reasons why myasthenia gravis occurs are not yet fully understood. If it is autoimmune, the immune response turns against the components of the motor plate responsible for transmitting the nerve stimulus that causes the muscle to contract, acetylcholine. This process interferes with the transmission of nerve impulse and causes rapid weakening of the muscles.