Everything about Peripheral Nervous System Disorders Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is Myasthenia Gravis?
An autoimmune disease where the body attacks receptors at the neuromuscular junction, leading to muscle weakness
In Myasthenia Gravis, some acetylcholine receptors are blocked, preventing muscle fibers from accessing acetylcholine.
What are the risk factors for Myasthenia Gravis?
Women less than 40 years old, men older than 60 years old, autoimmune disorders, thymoma
Thymoma is a rare type of tumor that originates in the thymus gland.
What diagnostic tests are used for Myasthenia Gravis?
Immunoassay, electromyography, tensilon test
In the tensilon test, symptoms improve with a cholinergic injection if positive for MG.
What are common clinical manifestations of Myasthenia Gravis?
Diplopia, ptosis, mask-like expression, dysarthria, difficulty chewing or speaking, fatigue, shortness of breath, descending weakness
Descending weakness means weakness starts in the face and progresses downwards.
What is the treatment for Myasthenia Gravis?
Anticholinesterase inhibitor (End in -mine and take 30-60 minutes before meals, corticosteroids, immunoglobulin, thymectomy
There is no cure for Myasthenia Gravis.
What is a cholinergic crisis?
Overmedication in Myasthenia Gravis leading to symptoms like pupil constriction, bronchoconstriction, abdominal cramping, urinary frequency
Treatment for cholinergic crisis is atropine.
What is a myasthenic crisis?
Undermedication in Myasthenia Gravis that can cause respiratory failure
Treatment for myasthenic crisis is immunoglobulin.
List some nursing interventions for Myasthenia Gravis.
Monitor respiratory status, monitor for signs of progressing weakness, keep suction at bedside, keep head of bed elevated, safety precautions, schedule activity and big meals at the beginning of the day, schedule rest periods
Weakness gets worse with activity and improves with rest.
What is Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
An autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the peripheral nerves, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis
This syndrome often follows a recent infection or vaccination.
What is the pathophysiology of Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
Antibodies attack peripheral nerves and myelin sheath, damaging nerves, which hampers signal transmission.
What are the risk factors for Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
Recent infection, recent vaccination, recent surgery, recent injury or trauma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Campylobacter jejuni infection is the most common preceding infection.
What diagnostic test is used for Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
Lumbar puncture
What are clinical manifestations of Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
Tingling/numbness in extremities, loss of reflexes, difficulty breathing or swallowing, progressive muscle weakness
Weakness begins in lower extremities and progresses upward bilaterally.
What is the treatment for Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
Plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin
List some nursing interventions for Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
Monitor breathing, vital signs, and ABG; chest physiotherapy; keep head of bed elevated; anticipate need for mechanical ventilation; VTE prophylaxis; ROM exercises; reposition every 2 hours; PT and OT; TPN or tube feeds if swallow impaired
What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
A chronic pain condition affecting the trigeminal nerve in the face (cranial nerve 5)
What are the clinical manifestations of Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Sudden, intense pain on one side of the face, continuous pain that remains present between more intense episodes
What is the treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Antiepileptics, baclofen, microvascular decompression
List some nursing interventions for Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Administer medications as ordered, identify and avoid exacerbating factors, manage pain
Tensilon test
Patient’s symptoms will temporarily improve after injected with a cholinergic if positive for MG, patient’s symptoms will become worse after injected with a cholinergic if negative for MG – If negative, must give atropine for antidote
