During a flu shot clinic, one of the questions the student nurse asks relates to whether the patient has had Guillain-Barré syndrome in his medical history. The patient asks, "What is that?"

Question

How should the nursing student reply?
A)
"A type of paralysis that affects movement on both sides of the body that may even involve the respiratory muscles"
B)
"Swelling of your arm where you got your flu shot, and maybe your eyes and lips had some swelling as well"
C)
"A degenerative disease where you have trouble walking without the help of a cane or walker"
D)
"Influenza-like illness where you had fever and chills for 2 to 3 days after your last flu shot"

Answer 1

Ans:
A

Feedback:

Guillain-Barré syndrome is an acute immune-mediated polyneuropathy. The majority of people report having had an acute, influenza-like illness before the onset of symptoms. It progresses along the ascending muscle weakness of the limbs, producing a symmetric flaccid paralysis. The rate of disease progression varies, and there may be disproportionate involvement of the upper or lower extremities. Option B is anaphylaxis following the flu shot. It is not a degenerative disease.