A nurse is performing an admission assessment of a school-age child who has spina bifida.
The parent states that the child is allergic to latex.
The nurse should assess further for cross-sensitivity to which of the following foods?

a. Improves muscle strength.

Explanation:

Neostigmine is a medication used in the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG). It belongs to a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors. Neostigmine works by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmiter involved in muscle contraction. In MG, there is a decrease in the amount of acetylcholine available at the neuromuscular junction, leading to muscle weakness and fatigue.

By inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, neostigmine helps to increase the concentration of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. This, in turn, improves muscle strength and can alleviate the symptoms of weakness and fatigue associated with MG.

Option b, destroying the antibodies that cause MG, is not accurate. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the presence of antibodies that interfere with neuromuscular transmission.

Neostigmine does not directly target or eliminate these antibodies.

Option c, enhancing immune system function, is not accurate either. Neostigmine primarily acts on the neuromuscular junction to improve muscle strength and does not have a direct effect on immune system function.

Option d, preventing excessive coughing, is not the primary action of neostigmine. While increased muscle strength may indirectly improve respiratory function and reduce coughing in individuals with myasthenia gravis, it is not the primary indication or action of neostigmine.

Therefore, the most accurate information to include in teaching about neostigmine for a client with myasthenia gravis is that it improves muscle strength.

Verify the client and blood product information with another licensed nurse.

Rationale:

1. A - This is not a correct procedure for client identification, but rather for blood compatibility. The nurse should check the client's blood type and crossmatch it against the blood product label, not the provider's orders.
2. B - This is not a reliable method of client identification, as the client may not know or remember their blood type correctly. The nurse should use two identifiers, such as name and date of birth, to confirm the client's identity.
3. C - This is not a relevant step for client identification, but rather for informed consent. The nurse should ensure that the client has signed an informed consent form before administering blood, but this does not verify that the blood product matches the client.
4. D - This is the correct procedure for client identification, as it involves two licensed nurses who independently check and confirm the client's identity and the blood product information, such as blood type, Rh factor, expiration date, and serial number.