The nurse is assisting with teaching a patient who is beginning therapy with neostigmine (Prostigmin) for newly diagnosed myasthenia gravis (MG). The patient asks, "How does that work?" What is the best response by the nurse?
a. "It provides potassium to your muscles so that they will contract better."
b. "It reduces the inflammation in your nerves so that they transmit signals better."
c. "It makes more neurotransmitter available so that your muscles can contract."
d. "It is a muscle relaxant that prevents the cramping in your muscles."
ANS: C
Medications used to treat MG include the anticholinesterase (ACh) drugs neostigmine (Prostigmin) and pyridostigmine (Mestinon). These drugs improve symptoms of MG by destroying the acetylcholinesterase that breaks down ACh. Remember that ACh causes muscles to contract. If ACh is allowed more time to attach to muscle tissue receptors, the muscle contracts, and strength is increased. It does not provide potassium or relax the muscles. Steroids reduce inflammation.
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