Myasthenia gravis: an overview.

ABSTRACT

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune disease that results in progressive weakness of the striated muscles. Autoantibodies destroy acetylcholine receptor sites, preventing adequate nerve impulse conduction to the muscles. Medical treatment is directed at increasing the amount of available acetylcholine or at reducing the levels of circulating antibodies. Nursing care is complex and involves patient education about drug therapy and treatment options as well as caring for the numerous problems that arise from varying degrees of muscle weakness. Skilled nursing assessment and intervention can help protect the myasthenic patient from the life-threatening complications of respiratory compromise.