Saved to this PC out References Mailings Review View Help Tell me what you want

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Saved to this PC out References Mailings Review View Help Tell me what you want to do Jill a 25-year-old gymnastics instructor presents with complaints of muscle weakness in her face that comes and goes. Her symptoms have been getting progressively worse over the past couple of months. She complains her jaw gets tired as she chews and swallowing is more difficult. She also notes some double vision occurs late in the evening, especially after reading for a bit. At work, it has become more difficult to assist her young gymnasts because of upper arm weakness. On physical examination, she has notable ptosis (drooping) of both eyelids after repeated blinking exercises. Electromyography reveals progressive weakness and decreased amplitude of contraction of the distal arm muscles upon repeated mild shocks of the ulnar and median nerves. Both her symptoms and electromyography findings reversed within 40 seconds of intravenous administration of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Blood tests reveal high levels of an anti- acetylcholine receptor antibody in her plasma. Jill's treatment includes a long-lasting anticholinesterase drug (acetylcholinesterase inhibitor) and prednisone, a corticosteroid. She likely will also undergo occasional plasmapheresis when her symptoms become especially severe. Answer each question in complete sentences. 1. How are the antibodies to the acetylcholine receptors interfering with Jili's skeletal muscle function? 2. What is acetylcholinesterase and how does an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor act to improve Jill's skeletal muscle function? 3. What is the reason for plasmapheresis? What will it accomplish? 4. What condition might Jill be suffering from? Explain.

Explanation / Answer

1. how are the antibodies to the acetylcholine receptors interfering with Jill's skeletal muscle function ?

Answer- the antibodies block or destroy nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the junction between the nerve and muscle i.e. the neuromuscular junction which prevents nerve impulses from triggering muscle contractions.

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2. what is acetylcholinesterase and how does an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor act to improve Jill's skeletal muscle function?

Answer- acetylcholinesterase is a drug that breaks down acetylcholine. acetylcholinesterase inhibitor prevents this breakdown thus prolonging the duration of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, which helps in muscle contraction.

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3. what is the reason for plasmapheresis? what will it accomplish?

Answer- Plasmapheresis is the removal, treatment, and return or exchange of blood plasma or its components from and to the blood circulation. used to treat the immune system in which the affected plasma is removed and good plasma is restored.

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4. what condition might Jill be suffering from? explain

Answer- Jill might be suffering from MYASTHENIA GRAVIS which is an autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction. the symptoms correlate with myasthenia gravis such as :

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