409 Final 2 Flashcards
MG is an acquired ___ disease
autoimmune
MG: main characteristics are ___ and ___
fatigue and weakness
MG: pattern
remission and flare up
MG: the body is attacking itself, specifically the
motor nerves
When you’re assessing the MG patient, an organ that could be abnormal is the
thymus
Usually the onset of MG is
insidious, but it’s possible to have a sudden onset
MG: anesthesia, pregnancy, infection can cause
a sudden onset of MG
MG: characteristics of the fatigue
gets worse with exercise, better with rest
MG: even though they have the drooping lids,
the pupil responses will be normal
MG: they could have malnutrition and dysphagia because of
drooping jaw
Fortunately 2 things that are usually not an issue in MG are
pain and LOC
You can immediately confirm the dx of MG if
they respond to cholinergic drugs
Tensilon Testing
If the patient responds with increased muscle strength, it means they have MG
consideration for Tensilon Testing
have the antidote (atropine) ready
the Interventions of MG include 2 broad categories
treat symptoms
induce remission
MG interventions: treating symptoms category:
Anticholinesterase aka cholinergic drugs
MG interventions: inducing remission category:
Steroids, PE, thymectomy
MG: because of the fatigue, when should you schedule activities
schedule for times that they have energy, like in the morning or right after tx
MG: the first line drugs are ____ which improve impulses
Anticholinesterase aka cholinergic drugs
MG: Anticholinesterase aka cholinergic dose consideration
might need it adjusted day-today depending on symptoms
MG: Anticholinesterase aka cholinergic drugs adverse effect
Cholinergic crisis, which means the drug is working to strong. Paradoxically this causes increased weakness
MG: Even though cholinergic crisis and myasthenic crisis are opposite,
they look pretty much the same
MG: cholinergic crisis and myasthenic crisis can be differentiated by
tensilon testing. If the tensilon allows the patient to improve, then it was a myasthenic crisis
MG: in a cholinergic crisis give
atropine
MG: the goal of immunosuppressive drugs is to
induce remission
MG patients can have weakness in the face which makes ___ difficulty
talking