A 33-year-old female patient with a recent history of visual disturbances and dysphagia has just been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis
The nurse should recognize that this patient's health problem is ultimately attributable to what pathophysiological process? A) Idiopathic overproduction of anticholinesterase
B) Autoimmune destruction of acetylcholine receptors
C) Demyelination of parasympathetic nerve pathways
D) Deficient synthesis of dopamine by the substantia nigra
B
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Myasthenia gravis occurs when antibodies produced by the body's own immune system block, alter, or destroy the receptors for acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, which prevents muscle contraction from occurring. The disease does not involve dopamine deficits, demyelination, or excess anticholinesterase.
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