Comprehensive Nursing Pharmacology Q 6
A client with myasthenia gravis frequently complains of weakness and fatigue. The physician plans to identify whether the client is responding to an overdose of the medication or a worsening of the disease. A tensilon test is performed. Which of the following would indicate that the client is experiencing an overdose of the medication?
A. Temporarily worsening of the condition.
B. Improvement of weakness and fatigue.
C. No change in the condition.
D. Complaints of muscle spasms.
Correct Answer: A. Temporarily worsening of the condition.
Tensilon test/ injection of edrophonium is performed to diagnose cholinergic crisis (overdose with anticholinesterase) or myasthenic crisis (under medication). A tensilon injection makes the client in a cholinergic crisis temporarily worse (negative tensilon test).
Option B: An improvement in the weakness indicates myasthenia crisis (under medication).
Option C: Changes will be observed within 30 to 60 seconds after the injection of the medication.
Option D: Complaints of muscle spasm may indicate that the medications are not working.