You are a home health nurse providing care to a patient with myasthenia gravis. Today you plan on helping the patient with bathing and exercising. When would be the best time to visit the patient to help with these tasks?

Choice A reason: The disorder is commonly fatal, is not a true statement. Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare and serious condition that affects the peripheral nervous system. It causes inflammation and damage to the nerve fibers, leading to muscle weakness, numbness, and paralysis. However, most people recover from Guillain-Barre syndrome, although some may have long-term complications or disabilities. The mortality rate is about 4% to 7%.

Choice B reason: The progressive muscle weakness will begin in the lower extremities and move upward, is a true statement. Guillain-Barre syndrome usually starts with tingling and weakness in the feet and legs, and then spreads to the arms and upper body. This pattern of weakness is called ascending paralysis, and it can affect the breathing, swallowing, and facial muscles. The weakness usually reaches its peak within two to four weeks, and then gradually improves over months or years.

Choice C reason: The disorder is caused by a fungal infection, is not a true statement. Guillain-Barre syndrome is not caused by a fungal infection, but by an abnormal immune response. The exact cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome is unknown, but it is often preceded by an infection, such as a respiratory or gastrointestinal infection, or a vaccination. The immune system mistakenly attacks the nerve fibers, causing inflammation and damage.

Choice D reason: The disorder's most significant manifestations are muscle pain and stiffness, is not a true statement. Guillain-Barre syndrome's most significant manifestations are muscle weakness and paralysis, not pain and stiffness. Muscle pain and stiffness may occur in some cases, but they are not the main symptoms or the most serious ones. The weakness and paralysis can affect the vital functions, such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate, and require intensive care and treatment.

Choice A reason: This is correct. A white blood cell count of 1000/mm3 indicates severe neutropenia, which is a condition of having abnormally low levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that fights infections. Neutropenic precautions are measures to protect the client from exposure to pathogens, such as wearing a mask, gloves, and gown, avoiding contact with sick people, and practicing good hygiene.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect. A red blood cell count of 5 million/mm3 is within the normal range for both males and females. It does not indicate any risk of infection or bleeding.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect. A clotting time of 10 minutes is also within the normal range, which is 8 to 15 minutes. It does not indicate any risk of infection or bleeding.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect. A thrombocyte count of 90,000 cells/mm3 is low, but not low enough to require neutropenic precautions. Thrombocytes, also known as platelets, are responsible for blood clotting. A low thrombocyte count increases the risk of bleeding, but not infection. The normal range for thrombocyte count is 150,000 to 450,000 cells/mm3.