An unusual nursing challenge: Guillain-Barré syndrome following cranial surgery

An 84 year-old white female developed Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS) following a craniotomy for resection of a meningioma. GBS is a rare, idiopathic disease which presents multiple nursing challenges. To effectively care for the patient with GBS, it is necessary to be familiar with symptomatology, incidence and pathology. Using this information, nursing assessment may be performed and interventions developed and individualized as needed.