A nurse is providing education to the other nurses on the unit on ...

[s.tung]

A nurse is providing education to the other nurses on the unit on how to differentiate between a myasthenic crisis and a cholinergic crisis. To show that they understand the difference, the nurses could state that they should
 
  a. ask the patient about occupation and family history.
  b. assess serum levels of the cholinesterase inhibitors.
  c. assess the patient about muscle weakness.
  d. administer edrophonium (Tensilon) and monitor the response.

Question 2

Which patient population is likely to experience significant toxicity from malathion use?
 
  a. Pregnant women
  b. Children less than 5 years of age
  c. Children before puberty
  d. No toxicity is expected if used as directed.

[annierak]

Answer to Question 1

D
The Tensilon test provides information as to whether a patient is experiencing a myasthenic crisis or a cholinergic crisis. If the patient's symptoms worsen with Tensilon, the individual most likely is overmedicated and experiencing a cholinergic crisis; the patient should then be given atropine as an antidote. If the patient's symptoms improve with the administration of Tensilon, the person most likely was undermedicated and is experiencing a myasthenic crisis.
The occupational and family history will not provide information that can differentiate between the two crises.
Serum levels of cholinesterase inhibitors would not provide information that can differentiate between the two crises.
Assessing the patient for muscle weakness will not provide specific enough information to diffe-rentiate between the two crises.

Answer to Question 2

d

[s.tung]

Thank you!

[annierak]

Always glad to help...