Nursing Tip of the Day! - Fundamentals

Category: Fundamentals 
Acute, generalized muscle weakness can be seen with a number of severe electrolyte abnormalities of any cause: hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, hypercalcemia, hypomagnesemia and hypophosphatemia.

Nursing Tip of the Day! - Fundamentals

Category: Fundamentals 
Infantile botulism results from the ingestion of spores that are able to germinate and produce toxin in the high pH of the gastrointestinal tract of infants. Botulism spores can survive in honey, so it is recommended that honey not be fed to infants.

The Nurse Nacole Podcast: Toxic Work Environment Advice

Nursing Tip of the Day! - Fundamentals

Category: Fundamentals 

Because the botulinum toxin decreases cholinergic output, anticholinergic signs may be present: constipation, urinary retention, dry skin and eyes, increased temperature and dilated, non-reactive pupils.

Reviewing Medication Errors: What Went Wrong?

Nursing Tip of the Day! - Fundamentals

Category: Fundamentals 
The classic feature of botulism is a descending, symmetrical, flaccid paralysis. Cranial nerves and bulbar muscles are affected first, causing diplopia, dysarthria, and dysphagia, followed later by generalized weakness.

Nursing Tip of the Day! - Fundamentals

Category: Fundamentals 

The botulinum toxin blocks both voluntary motor and autonomic functions. There is no pain or sensory deficit. The onset of symptoms is 6 to 48 hours after the ingestion of tainted food. Symptoms of gastroenteritis may or may not be present.

Nursing Tip of the Day! - Fundamentals

Category: Fundamentals 
The botulinum toxin works by binding irreversibly to the presynaptic membrane of peripheral and cranial nerves, inhibiting the release of ACh at the peripheral nerve synapse. As new receptors are generated, the patient improves.

Nursing Tip of the Day! - Fundamentals

Category: Fundamentals 
Botulism is a toxin-mediated illness that can cause weakness leading to respiratory insufficiency. In 2011, there was an outbreak among eight prisoners in Utah who drank “pruno,” a prison-made wine. 

Nursing Tip of the Day! - Fundamentals

Category: Fundamentals 
Myasthenic crisis is defined as respiratory failure leading to mechanical ventilation. It occurs in 15% to 20% of patients with myasthenia gravis, usually within the first 2 years of disease onset.

Nursing Tip of the Day! - Fundamentals

Category: Fundamentals 
Fatigability and muscle weakness are the hallmarks of myasthenia gravis. The clinical progression of myasthenia gravis is slow, with the most important aspect of emergency care being early recognition and proper referral.

Nursing Tip of the Day! - Fundamentals

Category: Fundamentals 

In most patients with myasthenia gravis, weakness and fatigue result from circulating autoantibodies against the ACh receptor on the junctional folds on the post synaptic membrane.

Nursing Tip of the Day! - Fundamentals

Category: Fundamentals 
Myelopathies involve the spinal cord; radiculopathies involve the nerve roots as they leave the spinal cord; neuropathies involve the peripheral nerves; and myopathies involve the muscle.

New Nurse Bootcamp | How To Improve Critical Thinking Skills

Nursing Tip of the Day! - Fundamentals

Category: Fundamentals 
Most radial neuropathies are due to so-called Saturday night palsies. The euphemism is derived from the association of radial neuropathy with improper positioning of the arm during deep, commonly inebriated sleep.