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Questions and Answers
Which condition is characterized by a 'sawtooth P wave' on ECG interpretation?
Which condition is characterized by a 'sawtooth P wave' on ECG interpretation?
What is a common early manifestation of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?
What is a common early manifestation of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?
Which type of Guillain Barre syndrome starts with facial weakness and moves downward rapidly?
Which type of Guillain Barre syndrome starts with facial weakness and moves downward rapidly?
What is a primary goal of interventions for a patient with Guillain Barre syndrome?
What is a primary goal of interventions for a patient with Guillain Barre syndrome?
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Which ECG finding is characteristic of Ventricular Tachycardia (VTach)?
Which ECG finding is characteristic of Ventricular Tachycardia (VTach)?
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What differentiated Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) from other diseases in terms of cognitive function?
What differentiated Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) from other diseases in terms of cognitive function?
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What is a common clinical manifestation of Myasthenia Gravis?
What is a common clinical manifestation of Myasthenia Gravis?
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Which drug is commonly used for the treatment of Myasthenia Gravis as an anticholinesterase?
Which drug is commonly used for the treatment of Myasthenia Gravis as an anticholinesterase?
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What should be monitored closely after a Thymectomy procedure in a patient with Myasthenia Gravis?
What should be monitored closely after a Thymectomy procedure in a patient with Myasthenia Gravis?
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Which crisis can occur in Myasthenia Gravis due to overmedication?
Which crisis can occur in Myasthenia Gravis due to overmedication?
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Which term best describes the characteristic rash seen in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)?
Which term best describes the characteristic rash seen in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)?
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What is a common symptom of myositis, one of the manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)?
What is a common symptom of myositis, one of the manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)?
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Study Notes
ECG Strip Interpretation
- SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia) is characterized by a regular rhythm, but the P wave is not usually visible.
- AFib (Atrial Fibrillation) is identified by an irregularly irregular rhythm, making it impossible to assess the P wave.
- Aflutter (Atrial Flutter) is recognized by a sawtooth P wave.
- VTach (Ventricular Tachycardia) is marked by a wide QRS, and the P wave cannot be determined.
- VFib (Ventricular Fibrillation) is characterized by a bunch of random squiggles.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Early clinical manifestations include tongue atrophy, dysphagia, weakness of hands and arms, fatigue while talking, facial twitching, and slurred speech.
- Later symptoms include the progression of all symptoms, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis.
- In the hospice stage, patients may require a ventilator, and advance directives and health provider-assisted suicide should be considered.
- Interventions and treatments focus on comfort measures and psychosocial therapy, as patients are aware of their degeneration and do not experience mental or cognitive impairment.
Guillain Barre
- Clinical manifestations include symmetric muscle weakness, flaccid paralysis without atrophy, respiratory compromise, paresthesias, pain, facial weakness, dysphagia, diplopia, difficulty speaking, labile BP, and cardiac dysrhythmias.
- Types of Guillain Barre include:
- Ascending: weakness/paralysis begins in the lower extremities and moves up.
- Descending: begins with facial weakness and moves down, deteriorating quickly to require ventilator support.
- Miller-Fisher: paralysis of eye muscles, areflexia, and severe ataxia (impaired balance and coordination).
- The primary goal of interventions and treatments is to maintain respiratory function, with a focus on airway management, monitoring respiratory distress, and cardiac monitoring, as well as immunoglobulin drug therapy and plasmapheresis.
Myasthenia Gravis
- Clinical manifestations include progressive muscle weakness that improves with rest, poor posture, ocular palsies, ptosis, diplopia, respiratory compromise, loss of bowel and bladder control, and fatigue.
- Interventions and treatments involve drugs (immunosuppressant and pyridostigmine/mestinon), plasmapheresis, thymectomy, and patient teaching.
- Important considerations for Mestinon administration include giving it on time with a small amount of food to manage muscle improvement, and providing a main meal 45 minutes after administration to decrease the risk of aspiration.
- Thymectomy requires monitoring respiratory efforts, signs of pneumothorax or hemothorax, and having a bag valve mask and suction at bedside.
- Complications include cholinergic crisis (overmedicated) and myasthenic crisis (undermedicated, exacerbation of symptoms).
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Clinical manifestations include a butterfly rash, myositis (inflammation of muscles), inflamed red rash and discoid lesions, and nephritis.
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Description
Prepare for your exam by reviewing hot topics such as ECG strip interpretation (SVT, AFib, Aflutter, VTach, VFib) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) clinical manifestations. Test your knowledge on recognizing different heart rhythms and symptoms of ALS.
