Wk 4 Guillain-Barre Flashcards
How do you say Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
Gee-anne buh-ray
What is Guillain-Barre syndrome aka?
Acute ascending polyneuritis
Guillain-Barre is an __ disorder
autoimmune
What happens in Guillain-Barre syndrome?
Myelin sheath is damaged due to autoantibodies
What is the role of the myelin sheath?
Covering of axons that transmit nerve impulses, making the transmission fast and smooth
Most patients who develop Guillain-Barre syndrome had a __ __ several weeks ago
viral infection
The viral infection usually is of the __ or __ tract
respiratory or GI
What are three potential etiologies of Guillain-Barre syndrome?
Viral infection
Bacterial infection
Post-surgery (5-10%)
What bacterium has been associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome?
Camplylobacter jejuni (food-borne illness)
What other rare etiology is associated with Guillain-Barre sydrome?
Flu vaccine
Guillain-Barre syndrome usually manifests in what way?
Lower extremities and ascends up the body
As a person recovers from Guillain-Barre syndrome, what direction does this happen?
In the opposite direction, a descending pattern
What are the clinical manifestations of Guillain-Barre syndrome?
Tingling/weakness to paralysis
Severity of symptoms increases over __ to __
hours to days
What is so severe about Guillain-Barre syndrome?
It’s potentially life threatening if respiratory muscles are involved
What might a patient with Guillain-Barre syndrome need if they are suffering from respiratory deficiency
Tracheostomy
What are the s/s of Guillain-Barre?
Uncoordinated movements Decreased sensation/tingling Loss of bowel/bladder control Blurred vision Difficulty breathing, chewing, swallowing
This is no __ for Guillain-Barre
Cure
What is the goal of pharmacotherapy concerning Guillain-Barre?
Reduce severity and accelerate recovery
What is the acute phase of Guillain-Barre treated with?
Steroids
High dose IV immunoglobulin therapy
What are the benefits of high-dose IV immunoglobulin therapy?
Shortens illness duration and hospital stay
What are the recurrences of this syndrome?
Some patients will have it only once in their lifetime, others will have recurrences (3%)
What is the prognosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome?
95% survive
What percentage of patients with Guillain-Barre completely recover?
75%
About 30% of patients who have had Guillain-Barre syndrome will experience __ __ after 3 years
residual weakness
