Question

Patient: 42-year-old Caucasian female

Chief complaint: "I've been having difficulty swallowing."
Background: No relevant patient history.
Current Findings: You notice ptosis of both eyelids and some slurring of words. The patient says that her arms feel weak and her vision is sometimes blurry. She says her symptoms tend to get worse at bedtime.
You tell the patient she might have myasthenia gravis.

The observed symptoms stem from dysfunction in which of the following
a. Cardiac muscle
b. Smooth muscle
c. Skeletal muscle
d. Sympathetic neurons
e. Parasympathetic neurons

Answer 1

The observed symptoms in the patient's case, such as slurring of words, ptosis of both eyelids, weakness in the arms, and blurry vision point towards myasthenia gravis. These symptoms arise from dysfunction in the skeletal muscles.

Step-by-step explanation:

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder in which circulating antibodies block the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on the neuromuscular junction's motor endplate. This blockage of acetylcholine receptors causes muscle weakness, often first exhibiting drooping eyelids and expanding to include overall muscle weakness and fatigue. Swallowing and chewing may become difficult as the disease progresses, and speech may become slow and slur.

The observed symptoms in the patient's case, such as slurring of words, ptosis of both eyelids, weakness in the arms, and blurry vision point towards myasthenia gravis. These symptoms arise from dysfunction in the skeletal muscles.

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease affecting the acetylcholine receptors in the neuromuscular junction, resulting in weakened muscle contraction capability.