Giuliani-barre syndrome (GBS) Flashcards
Giuliani-barre syndrome (GBS) Patho
- Both motor and sensory nerve transmission is impaired
- An acquired acute, rapidly progressive, and potentially fatal form of polyneuritis. An autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the myelin sheath of *peripheral nerves in response to a virus or bacteria (some sort of initial illness).
- Rapid demyelination of *peripheral nerves produce an ascending weakness with dyskinesia (inability to execute voluntary movements), hyporeflexia, and parasthesias or a βpins and needlesβ sensation.
- Rapid demyelination may produce respiratory failure and autonomic nervous system dysfunction with CV instability
- Most often follows a viral infection
- Pt gets illness, immunsystem gets confused and attacks Myelin sheath of peripheral/ central nerves
- Effects both motor and sensory nerves
- Not permanent unless axon is damaged
β Peripheral nerves: located outside of brain and spinal cord (includes cranial nerves)
β- Somatic: controls voluntary functions
β- Autonomic: controls involuntary functions (if severe enough)(Respiratory failure)
β Central nerves: nerves in brain and spinal cord
GBS cause
- Recent illness/ Immune response to a virus
- Triggers:
β Upper respritory infection/ Flu, common cold
β Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)
β Campylobacter Jejuni (Campylobacteriosis) (GI viral)
β Porphyria
β Infectious mononucleosis
β Viral Hepatitis
β HIV/ AIDs
β RARE: Minor surgery/Vaccine reaction(swine flu, influenza, etc.)
Types of GBS
- Ascending GBS:
β Patient experiences weakness in lower extremities, which progresses upward and can lead to respiratory failure
purely motor deficit and with no altered sensation
Commonly starts in legs, arms, upper body - could cause respiratory distress
- Descending GBS:
β difficult to diagnose as it starts in jaw, tongue, larynx, head/ neck muscles - Miller-Fisher variant presents with:
β ataxia
β areflexia
β opthalmoplegia
GBS Healing:
- Healing occurs in reverse
β Neurons affected last are first to recover
β Secondary damage to axon results in permanent deficits
GBS Signs and Symptoms:
- S/s peak at 2 weeks recovery 1-2 years
- Parathesia/ tingling/ Numbness in feet/ legs and ascends up toward head until pt is paralyzed
- Decreased muscle tone/ constipation
- Paralysis from waist down/ entire body
- Weak ineffective cough
- Respiratory failure
- Aspiration
- Poor swallow
- Face paralysis/ blinking issues, etc.
- Poor speaking: establish communication needs
- Vision issues
- Urine retention; UTI
- Severe Pain; proper pain assessment (pts may not be able to speak)
- Muscle cramps
- DVT risk
- Weight loss
Phases of GBS
How long do they last?
GBS Acute/initial phase (lasts 1-4 weeks)
GBS Plateau phase (lasts Days-2 weeks)
GBS Recovery phase ( gradually over 4-6 months)
GBS Acute/initial phase
lasts 1-4 weeks
- Numbness/ tingling (paresthesia)
- Progressive weakness over next few days
- Symptoms may stay in this phase causing mild difficulty or
- Progression of illness may lead to complete paralysis
- If spread to respiratory muscles & ANS, pt. is in most danger
- Pain/aching/tingling
- **βCrawling skinβ
GBS Plateau phase
lasts Days-2 weeks
- No further deterioration
- No improvements
- Most discouraging phase to patients
GBS Recovery phase
gradually over 4-6 months
- Improvement begins as the nerves remyelinate
- Function returns in reverse order
- May have numbness/pain as nerves remyelinate
- Residual deficits present if axon damage has occurred
GBS Nursing assessment
- Ongoing assessment with emphasis on early detection of life-threatening complications of respiratory failure, cardiac dysrhythmias, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Monitor for changes in vital capacity and negative inspiratory force
- Assess VS frequently or continuously, including continuous monitoring of ECG
- Patient and family coping
GBS Nursing Diagnosis
- Ineffective breathing pattern
- Impaired gas exchange
- Impaired physical mobility
- Imbalanced nutrition
- Impaired verbal communication
- Fear
- Anxiety
GBS Nursing Planning
Major goals include:
- Improved respiratory function
- Increased mobility
- Improved nutritional status
- Effective communication
- Decreased fear and anxiety
- Effective patient and family coping
- Absence of complications
GBS Diagnostics
- History of viral illness in last few weeks
β any recent vaccines?
β any mono? - No single lab test
- *Lumbar puncture (CSF)
β *Elevated protein/ without elevated white blood cell
β Before: empty bladder
β During: position, lateral recumbent with knees up to abdomen and bend chin to chest
β After: lie flat (decreases headache), needs to consume fluids to help replace CSF lost - Blood tests (leukocytosis increase in WBCβs)
- Electromyogram (EMG):
β assesses for deviation of nerves by determining muscles ability to respond to nerve stimulation - Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV)
GBS Nursing Interventions
- Monitor for ascending sensory loss, which precedes motor loss
- Vital signs (BP/HR/RR/Temp) and LOC
- Respiratory status; respiratory muscles are weak and patient may vital capacity
- Carefully assess swallowing and gag reflex and take measures to prevent aspiration
- Develop a plan for communication individualized to patient needs
- ABG
- Intubation if necessary
- Turn patient to prevent skin breakdown/ promote lung secretion mobility
- range of motion
β Prevent contracture: (towel)
β OT can fit them with braces to avoid foot drop - Administer IV and parenteral nutrition as prescribed
- prevent VTE/ DVT/ PE
β Support limbs in functional position
β Passive ROM at least twice daily
β Frequent position changes at least every 2 hours
β Elastic compression hose or sequential compression boots
β Adequate hydration - bowel and bladder control
- Bowel sounds for paralytic lilis/ motility
- Check tube feeding for residual (due to decreased motility)
- Trach care if necessary
β Infection control - Pressure injury wound care
- Daily weight
- Decreasing fear and anxiety
β Provide information and support
β Referral to support group
β Relaxation measures
β Maintain positive attitude and atmosphere to promote a sense of well-being
β Diversional activities
GBS Medical Management
- No cure; but can regain function?
- Decrease recovery s/s
β Recovery is spontaneous and complete in about 85 % of patients within 6 to 12 months;
β mild motor or reflex deficits in the feet and legs may persist.
β The prognosis is best when symptoms clear between 15 to 20 days from onset. - Treatments need to be given within *2 weeks of onset of S/S to work
β *IV Immunoglobulin (IVIG): from a donor given to the patient to stop the antibodies that are damaging the nerves
β Plasmapheresis
β- Machine filters and removes the antibodies responsible for the disease
β- Major complication - hypovolemia
β- albumin or fresh frozen plasma (blood product; premedicate pt)
β- need dialysis catheter - Supportive care
- PT/OT/speech therapy