Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 83%
Simulated
A patient exhibits ptosis of both eyes and the provider orders edrophonium (Tensilon). The nurse notes immediate improvement of the ptosis. The nurse understands that this patient most likely has which disorder?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct answer is A: Myasthenia gravis. Edrophonium is a reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that improves muscle strength in patients with myasthenia gravis due to its ability to increase acetylcholine levels at the neuromuscular junction. The immediate improvement of ptosis after administration of edrophonium suggests a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, a disorder characterized by muscle weakness and fatigability. Cerebral palsy (B) is a non-progressive neurological disorder not typically associated with ptosis and not responsive to edrophonium. Multiple sclerosis (C) is an autoimmune demyelinating disorder that does not typically present with ptosis. Muscle spasm (D) does not explain the ptosis and would not improve with edrophonium.