Question

A patient is being treated for myasthenia gravis with bulbar involvement with a cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitor. The nurse instructs the patient to eat at least 45 minutes after the drug is given. What complication is the nurse helping to prevent?

A) Aspiration
B) Diarrhea
C) Constipation
D) Anorexia

Answer 1

The nurse is helping to prevent aspiration by instructing the patient to eat at least 45 minutes after the drug is given.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse is helping to prevent aspiration by instructing the patient to eat at least 45 minutes after the drug is given. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder that affects neuromuscular transmission by blocking acetylcholine receptors, which leads to muscle weakness and fatigue. Bulbar involvement refers to the muscles involved in swallowing and speaking, and in myasthenia gravis, these muscles can become weak and result in difficulty swallowing, increasing the risk of aspiration.