Myasthenia gravis and myasthenic crisis

Abstract: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is the most commonly encountered autoimmune disease of the postsynaptic neuromuscular junction of skeletal muscles, affecting an estimated 700,000 individuals worldwide.1-3 MG has a variable age of onset, pattern of muscle involvement, severity, and clinical course. Approximately 15% to 20% of patients with MG will experience a myasthenic crisis (MC), typically within 2 years of diagnosis, which can lead to respiratory muscle compromise.4-6 Nurses must be knowledgeable about this disease and prepared to assist with pharmacologic testing and/or MC to ensure maximum safety for patients with MG before, during, and after evaluation.
Source: Nursing Critical Care - Category: Nursing Tags: Feature Source Type: research