A nurse is performing a physical assessment of a newborn whose mother used cocaine throughout the pregnancy.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

a. Improves muscle strength.

Explanation:

Neostigmine is a medication used in the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG). It belongs to a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors. Neostigmine works by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmiter involved in muscle contraction. In MG, there is a decrease in the amount of acetylcholine available at the neuromuscular junction, leading to muscle weakness and fatigue.

By inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, neostigmine helps to increase the concentration of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. This, in turn, improves muscle strength and can alleviate the symptoms of weakness and fatigue associated with MG.

Option b, destroying the antibodies that cause MG, is not accurate. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the presence of antibodies that interfere with neuromuscular transmission.

Neostigmine does not directly target or eliminate these antibodies.

Option c, enhancing immune system function, is not accurate either. Neostigmine primarily acts on the neuromuscular junction to improve muscle strength and does not have a direct effect on immune system function.

Option d, preventing excessive coughing, is not the primary action of neostigmine. While increased muscle strength may indirectly improve respiratory function and reduce coughing in individuals with myasthenia gravis, it is not the primary indication or action of neostigmine.

Therefore, the most accurate information to include in teaching about neostigmine for a client with myasthenia gravis is that it improves muscle strength.

Take the medication 15 min before playing sports.

• A. Clean the mouthpiece with warm water every 2 weeks. This is incorrect because the mouthpiece should be cleaned with warm water at least once a week, or more often if used frequently, to prevent bacterial growth and contamination.
• B. Wait 10 seconds between inhalations. This is incorrect because the recommended time interval between inhalations is 1 minute, not 10 seconds, to allow adequate absorption of the medication and prevent overdose or side effects.
• C. Take a quick inhalation when pressing the dispenser. This is incorrect because a quick inhalation can cause poor coordination of hand-mouth movement and result in less medication reaching the lungs. The nurse should instruct the child to take a slow, deep inhalation when pressing the dispenser, hold their breath for 10 seconds, and exhale slowly.
• D. Take the medication 15 min before playing sports. This is correct because albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator that can prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. The nurse should teach the child to take the medication before engaging in physical activity that can trigger asthma symptoms, such as sports, cold weather, or allergens.