Myasthenia gravis: a nursing perspective

Myasthenia gravis, a chronic neuromuscular disease, results in weakness of striated voluntary muscles. The muscles involved and the degree of weakness vary from patient to patient. Nursing care of the patient with muscle weakness from myasthenia gravis presents a challenge for the neuroscience nurse. Drug therapy and thymectomy treatments are discussed, along with their complications. Nursing interventions for other problems for the myasthenic patient, including impaired breathing patterns, inability to clear the airway, impaired communication, altered nutrition, self-care deficits, and impaired vision are described.