Myasthenia gravis nursing NCLEX review on symptoms, treatment, pathophysiology, nursing interventions, and pharmacology. This review will also discuss myasthenic crisis vs. cholinergic crisis and the Tensilon test (Edrophonium).

What is myasthenia gravis? It is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks the receptors that allow for voluntary muscle control, which leads to muscle weakness.

In myasthenia gravis, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are attacked by antibodies created by the immune system. This limits the amount of acetylcholine that can transmit to the receptor leading to muscle weakness. In addition, the thymus gland plays a role in myasthenia gravis in that it may create the antibodies that attack the nicotinic receptors.

Symptoms of myasthenia gravis include: weakness of the neck, face, arms/legs, eye drooping (ptosis), mask-like appearance that looks sleepy, recurrent gagging or choking while eating (difficulty swallowing), strabismus, slurred speech.

Treatment for myasthenia gravis includes: anticholinesterase medications (Pyridostigmine) which will make more acetylcholine available at the receptor site to increase muscle strength. Also, corticosteroids or immune suppressors can be ordered. In addition, a thymectomy (removal of the thymus gland) can be performed along with plasmapheresis with IV immunoglobulin therapy.

A tenslion test can be performed to diagnosed myasthenia gravis or differentiate between myasthenic crisis vs. cholinergic crisis. During this test signs and symptoms will improve after the administration of Edrophonium if myasthenia gravis or myasthenic gravis is present, but worsen if cholinergic crisis is present.

CORRECTION: At 14:58, when I discuss Edrophonium (the Tensilon Test) it should say that Edrophonium is a acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (which is a cholinesterase inhibitor) NOT ANTIcholinesterase.

Nursing interventions for myasthenia gravis include: monitoring airway, assessing neuromuscular status, monitoring for aspiration, education about food and activities, following speech pathologist recommendations etc.

Myasthenia Gravis NCLEX Questions: https://www.registerednursern.com/myasthenia-gravis-nclex-questions/

Notes: https://www.registerednursern.com/myasthenia-gravis-nclex-review/

More Neuro Lectures: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfWwTsEG3KPPQx9rWa8AqMIk

Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/registerednursern_com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/registerednursern_com/

Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=registerednursern

Nursing School Supplies: http://www.registerednursern.com/the-ultimate-list-of-nursing-medical-supplies-and-items-a-new-nurse-student-nurse-needs-to-buy/

Popular Playlists:

NCLEX Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfWtwCDmLHyX2UeHofCIcgo0
Fluid & Electrolytes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfWJSZ9pL8L3Q1dzdlxUzeKv
Nursing Skills: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfUhd_qQYEbp0Eab3uUKhgKb
Nursing School Study Tips: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfWBO40qeDmmaMwMHJEWc9Ms
Nursing School Tips & Questions" https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfVQok-t1X5ZMGgQr3IMBY9M
Teaching Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfUkW_DpJekN_Y0lFkVNFyVF
Types of Nursing Specialties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfW8dRD72gUFa5W7XdfoxArp
Healthcare Salary Information: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfVN0vmEP59Tx2bIaB_3Qhdh
New Nurse Tips: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfVTqH6LIoAD2zROuzX9GXZy
Nursing Career Help: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfVXjptWyvj2sx1k1587B_pj
EKG Teaching Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfU-A9UTclI0tOYrNJ1N5SNt
Dosage & Calculations for Nurses: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfUYdl0TZQ0Tc2-hLlXlHNXq
Diabetes Health Managment: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfXtEx17D7zC1efmWIX-iIs9