A patient presents to the emergency department with a complaint of sudden, severe pain to the left eye, nausea, and seeing halos around lights. The nurse suspects primary angle-closure glaucoma. The nurse anticipates that in order to relieve intraocular pressure, the patient should be prepared for which of the following procedures?

A. Ethnicity alone is not a known risk factor for ALS. ALS has a relatively uniform incidence across different ethnic groups. Studies have not demonstrated a significant correlation between ALS and being of Asian descent specifically.

B. There is limited evidence suggesting that consuming well water could be associated with an increased risk of ALS, particularly if the well water is contaminated with certain toxins or heavy metals. However, this is not a widely established risk factor and is less directly linked to ALS compared to other known risk factors.
C. Working in agriculture has been identified as a potential risk factor for ALS. Agricultural workers are often exposed to various environmental toxins, pesticides, and herbicides, which have been associated with an increased risk of developing ALS. This occupational exposure is considered a significant risk factor for the disease.
D. Military veterans are known to have an increased risk of developing ALS. Several studies have shown that veterans, particularly those who served in combat or were exposed to specific environmental hazards during their service, have a higher incidence of ALS compared to the general population.

Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by weakness and rapid fatigue of voluntary muscles. Key features include fluctuating muscle weakness that typically worsens with activity and improves with rest, bilateral ptosis (drooping of the eyelids), and difficulty with swallowing and speaking. The fact that the client's facial muscle strength is better in the morning and worsens throughout the day is a hallmark of MG. The edrophonium (Tensilon) test is specifically used to diagnose MG by temporarily improving muscle strength.

Antibodies at the neuromuscular junction

Myasthenia Gravis is caused by the presence of autoantibodies that target acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction, leading to impaired communication between nerves and muscles. This is consistent with the described symptoms and the use of the edrophonium (Tensilon) test to diagnose the condition.