A client on a medical-surgical unit has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. The nurse understands that in addition to supportive care, which treatment can be used within the first 2 weeks of symptom onset?
Plasmapheresis
Riluzole
Anticholinesterase agents
Acyclovir
The Correct Answer is A
A. Plasmapheresis, also known as plasma exchange, is a treatment where blood plasma containing harmful antibodies is removed from the blood and replaced with donor plasma or albumin. This procedure is effective in reducing the severity and duration of symptoms in GBS by removing the antibodies that attack the peripheral nerves. Plasmapheresis is typically recommended within the first 2 weeks of symptom onset to maximize its benefits.
B. Riluzole is a medication that modulates glutamate neurotransmission and is primarily used in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). While some studies have explored its potential use in GBS, its efficacy in GBS treatment remains uncertain and it is not considered a standard treatment.
C. Anticholinesterase agents, such as pyridostigmine, are used in conditions characterized by neuromuscular junction dysfunction, such as myasthenia gravis. However, in GBS, where the primary pathology is the demyelination of peripheral nerves rather than neuromuscular junction dysfunction, anticholinesterase agents are not effective and can potentially worsen symptoms.
D. Acyclovir is an antiviral medication primarily used to treat infections caused by herpesviruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It has no role in the treatment of GBS because GBS is not caused by viral infections.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Splenectomy is not a standard treatment for myasthenia gravis. The spleen's role is primarily related to immune function and blood filtration rather than the pathophysiology of MG.
B. Thymectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the thymus gland. The thymus gland plays a role in the development and regulation of the immune system. In some cases of myasthenia gravis, especially in younger patients or those with thymoma (a tumor of the thymus gland), thymectomy can lead to improvement or remission of symptoms. This procedure is considered in cases where myasthenia gravis is refractory to medication or in cases associated with thymoma.
C. Appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix and is not a treatment for myasthenia gravis. The appendix is not implicated in the pathophysiology of MG.
D. Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder and is performed for conditions related to the gallbladder, such as gallstones or inflammation. It is not indicated for the treatment of myasthenia gravis.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Defibrillation is used to treat life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, where the heart is in a chaotic rhythm without an effective contraction.
B. This procedure is performed to relieve significant blockages in coronary arteries that are causing myocardial ischemia or infarction. While coronary artery disease can contribute to cardiac issues, it is not the primary intervention for treating atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response and associated symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath, and hypotension.
C. While an echocardiogram may be useful in assessing the overall cardiac function and structure, it is not an immediate intervention for the acute management of atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response and unstable symptoms.
D. Synchronized cardioversion is a procedure used to convert certain types of rapid arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, to a normal sinus rhythm by delivering a synchronized electrical shock to the heart at a specific point in the cardiac cycle.
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