Question 1

Which of the following are identified as the causative organisms of the respiratory or gastrointestinal infections that precede the onset of most cases of GBS?

Accepted Answer

Campylobacter jejuni and cytomegalovirus are implicated in the majority of respiratory and GI infections that precede the onset of GBS.

Question 2

A patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome developed atelectasis. His chest radiograph findings would be expected to show:

Accepted Answer

When atelectasis occurs, the chest radiograph will show increased opacity.

Question 3

Common noncardiopulmonary manifestations associated with Guillain-Barré is (are):
1) difficulty swallowing.
2) leg pain.
3) distal paresthesia.
4) absent deep tendon reflexes.

Accepted Answer

The peripheral nerve problems associated with Guillain-Barré can cause difficulty swallowing, leg pain, distal paresthesia, and absent deep tendon reflexes.

Question 4

Which of following has been shown to shorten the course of a severe case of Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Plasmapheresis can shorten a severe case of Guillain-Barré by removing the antibodies that attack the peripheral nerves.

Question 5

Clinical indications that a patient has impending acute ventilatory failure include: 1) pH <7.35. 2) vital capacity (VC) <20 mL/kg. 3) PaCO₂>45 mm Hg. 4) Negative inspiratory force (NIF) <25 cm H₂O.

Accepted Answer

A vital capacity of less than 20 mL/kg, a PCO₂ exceeding 45 mm Hg, and a pH below 7.35 all indicate impeding ventilatory failure.

Question 6

When a person has Guillain-Barré syndrome, how are peripheral nerves affected?

Accepted Answer

The autoimmune disorder found with Guillain-Barré syndrome results in the removal of the myelin sheath from around the peripheral nerve.

Question 7

A Guillain-Barré syndrome patient has autonomic nervous system dysfunction which can result in all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Among the symptoms resulting from dysautonomia are tachycardia, hypotension that often alternates with hypertension, and urinary retention.

Question 8

Approximately what percentage of patients with GBS develop respiratory muscle paralysis?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 10-30% of patients with GBS develop respiratory muscle paralysis.

Question 9

A 75-kg, 50-year-old male patient has Guillain-Barré syndrome. His most recent assessment indicates his VC is 900 mL and NIF is -16 cm H₂O. What plan should the respiratory therapist recommend?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical ventilation should be initiated because the patient's VC and NIF indicate impending ventilatory failure.

Question 10

Under microscopic inspection, the skeletal muscle nerves of a Guillain-Barré patient show all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

In GBS, the skeletal muscle nerves show edema, inflammation, and demyelination.

Question 11

Typical chest assessment findings in a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome include:
1) diminished breath sounds.
2) crackles.
3) tracheal deviation.
4) depressed diaphragms.

Accepted Answer

Diminished breath sounds and crackles are associated with GBS.

Question 12

The diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome is based on all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Urinalysis and BUN levels are not used to diagnose Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Question 13

In the United States and Europe, what is the most common subtype of GBS?

Accepted Answer

The most common GBS subtype in the United States and Europe is acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP).

Question 14

The major pathologic or structural changes of the lungs associated with ventilator failure accompanying Guillain-Barré syndrome include:
1) alveolar consolidation.
2) airway distortion and dilation.
3) mucosal edema.
4) atelectasis.

Accepted Answer

Alveolar consolidation and atelectasis are structural changes in the lungs of the Guillain-Barré patient with ventilatory failure.

Question 15

The peripheral nervous system problems found with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) include:
1) loss of reflexes.
2) increased reflex reactions.
3) flaccid paralysis of skeletal muscles.
4) tetany of skeletal muscles.

Accepted Answer

Peripheral nervous system problems in GBS include loss of reflexes and flaccid paralysis of the skeletal muscles.

Question 16

A patient with Guillain-Barré is paralyzed and on mechanical ventilatory support. Which of the following pulmonary complications is most likely to occur as the result of prolonged immobilization?

Accepted Answer

Any patient who must remain in bed for a prolonged time is at risk for developing a thromboembolism.

Question 17

In which of the following persons would Guillain-Barré syndrome most likely occur?

Accepted Answer

While Guillain-Barré syndrome can be found in males and females of any age and ethnicity, individuals over 45 year of age are most frequently affected.

Quiz 29: Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Which of the following are identified as the causative organisms of the respiratory or gastrointestinal infections that precede the onset of most cases of GBS?

A patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome developed atelectasis. His chest radiograph findings would be expected to show:

Common noncardiopulmonary manifestations associated with Guillain-Barré is (are) : 1) difficulty swallowing. 2) leg pain. 3) distal paresthesia. 4) absent deep tendon reflexes.

Which of following has been shown to shorten the course of a severe case of Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Clinical indications that a patient has impending acute ventilatory failure include: 1) pH <7.35. 2) vital capacity (VC) <20 mL/kg. 3) PaCO₂>45 mm Hg. 4) Negative inspiratory force (NIF) <25 cm H₂O.

When a person has Guillain-Barré syndrome, how are peripheral nerves affected?

A Guillain-Barré syndrome patient has autonomic nervous system dysfunction which can result in all of the following EXCEPT:

Approximately what percentage of patients with GBS develop respiratory muscle paralysis?

A 75-kg, 50-year-old male patient has Guillain-Barré syndrome. His most recent assessment indicates his VC is 900 mL and NIF is -16 cm H₂O. What plan should the respiratory therapist recommend?

Under microscopic inspection, the skeletal muscle nerves of a Guillain-Barré patient show all of the following EXCEPT:

Typical chest assessment findings in a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome include: 1) diminished breath sounds. 2) crackles. 3) tracheal deviation. 4) depressed diaphragms.

The diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome is based on all of the following EXCEPT:

In the United States and Europe, what is the most common subtype of GBS?

The major pathologic or structural changes of the lungs associated with ventilator failure accompanying Guillain-Barré syndrome include: 1) alveolar consolidation. 2) airway distortion and dilation. 3) mucosal edema. 4) atelectasis.

The peripheral nervous system problems found with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) include: 1) loss of reflexes. 2) increased reflex reactions. 3) flaccid paralysis of skeletal muscles. 4) tetany of skeletal muscles.

A patient with Guillain-Barré is paralyzed and on mechanical ventilatory support. Which of the following pulmonary complications is most likely to occur as the result of prolonged immobilization?

In which of the following persons would Guillain-Barré syndrome most likely occur?

Quiz 29: Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Which of the following are identified as the causative organisms of the respiratory or gastrointestinal infections that precede the onset of most cases of GBS?

A patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome developed atelectasis. His chest radiograph findings would be expected to show:

Common noncardiopulmonary manifestations associated with Guillain-Barré is (are) : 1) difficulty swallowing. 2) leg pain. 3) distal paresthesia. 4) absent deep tendon reflexes.

Which of following has been shown to shorten the course of a severe case of Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Clinical indications that a patient has impending acute ventilatory failure include: 1) pH <7.35. 2) vital capacity (VC) <20 mL/kg. 3) PaCO2 >45 mm Hg. 4) Negative inspiratory force (NIF) <25 cm H2O.

When a person has Guillain-Barré syndrome, how are peripheral nerves affected?

A Guillain-Barré syndrome patient has autonomic nervous system dysfunction which can result in all of the following EXCEPT:

Approximately what percentage of patients with GBS develop respiratory muscle paralysis?

A 75-kg, 50-year-old male patient has Guillain-Barré syndrome. His most recent assessment indicates his VC is 900 mL and NIF is -16 cm H2O. What plan should the respiratory therapist recommend?

Under microscopic inspection, the skeletal muscle nerves of a Guillain-Barré patient show all of the following EXCEPT:

Typical chest assessment findings in a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome include: 1) diminished breath sounds. 2) crackles. 3) tracheal deviation. 4) depressed diaphragms.

The diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome is based on all of the following EXCEPT:

In the United States and Europe, what is the most common subtype of GBS?

The major pathologic or structural changes of the lungs associated with ventilator failure accompanying Guillain-Barré syndrome include: 1) alveolar consolidation. 2) airway distortion and dilation. 3) mucosal edema. 4) atelectasis.

The peripheral nervous system problems found with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) include: 1) loss of reflexes. 2) increased reflex reactions. 3) flaccid paralysis of skeletal muscles. 4) tetany of skeletal muscles.

A patient with Guillain-Barré is paralyzed and on mechanical ventilatory support. Which of the following pulmonary complications is most likely to occur as the result of prolonged immobilization?

In which of the following persons would Guillain-Barré syndrome most likely occur?

Clinical indications that a patient has impending acute ventilatory failure include: 1) pH <7.35. 2) vital capacity (VC) <20 mL/kg. 3) PaCO₂>45 mm Hg. 4) Negative inspiratory force (NIF) <25 cm H₂O.

A 75-kg, 50-year-old male patient has Guillain-Barré syndrome. His most recent assessment indicates his VC is 900 mL and NIF is -16 cm H₂O. What plan should the respiratory therapist recommend?