A patient is diagnosed as having elevated cholesterol level.
The nurse is aware that plaque on the inner lumen of arteries begins as what?

Choice A rationale

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness and fatigue of the skeletal muscles. Improvement of ptosis after administration of edrophonium (Tensilon), a short-acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, is a diagnostic indicator of myasthenia gravis.

Choice B rationale

Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. It is primarily caused by abnormal development or damage to the brain and does not exhibit rapid improvement with edrophonium.

Choice C rationale

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic illness involving the central nervous system, where the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers. It does not respond to edrophonium as myasthenia gravis does.

Choice D rationale

Muscle spasm refers to an involuntary contraction of a muscle that can be sudden and painful. This condition is not typically diagnosed or treated with edrophonium, which is specific for myasthenia gravis. .

Choice A rationale

Magnesium plays a role in muscle relaxation but is not primarily responsible for muscle contraction. It helps in stabilizing the muscle membrane by acting as a natural calcium blocker. Deficiency in magnesium can lead to muscle cramps and spasms, but it does not directly cause muscle contraction and relaxation processes.

Choice B rationale

Chloride is an essential electrolyte involved in maintaining fluid balance and acid-base balance, but it does not directly influence muscle contraction and relaxation. It works in conjunction with sodium to regulate osmotic pressure and acid-base balance.

Choice C rationale

Calcium is crucial for muscle contraction. It is released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum within the muscle cells and binds to troponin, causing a conformational change that allows actin and myosin to interact and generate contraction. During relaxation, calcium ions are pumped back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Choice D rationale

Hydrogen ions are involved in pH balance and acid-base regulation but do not directly affect muscle contraction and relaxation. Excess hydrogen ions (acidosis) can impair muscle function, but they are not the primary factor in muscle contraction processes.