NURSING 2: Case Study Analysis of Guillain-Barre Syndrome

This case study focuses on a 48-year-old male, C.B., presenting with symptoms suggestive of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). The assignment explores the causes of GBS, primarily linking it to respiratory or digestive infections, often triggered by viruses and/or low immunity. C.B.'s medical history of viral influenza, followed by progressing weakness, numbness, and tingling, supports the diagnosis. The case study details the clinical manifestations of GBS, including muscle weakness, dysesthesias, and potential cranial nerve involvement. It outlines diagnostic methods, such as lumbar puncture, electromyography, and MRI. The immediate concern for C.B. is the potential for paralysis due to the syndrome's impact on the nervous system. The study also differentiates between GBS symptoms and those that are indirectly related, such as confusion. The assignment concludes with a bibliography citing relevant medical literature.

RUNNING HEAD: NURSING 0
GUILLAIN-BARRE-SYNDROME- CASE STUDY
[Document subtitle]

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Cause of Guillain-Barré syndrome
Guillain Barre syndrome is caused by respiratory or digestive infection. The main
cause of the syndrome is viruses which are directed through the recent case of zika virus
where the patient was later on diagnosed with the Guillain -Barre syndrome. The other cause
for getting the Guillain Barre syndrome is the low immunity level of an individual. The lower
immunity of the individual makes him or her susceptible to the Guillain barre syndrome.
According to various medical studies, the cause for the syndrome is not yet known but
various pieces of evidence claim infections and lower Immunity level to be the cause
(Paediatric Nursing).
Factors that support the diagnose of Guillain-Barre syndrome in CB’s medical history
C.B is a middle-aged male of 48 years who a few weeks back was reported with the
viral infection. The viral infection developed in him the symptoms of fatigue, chills, and
myalgia. He suffered a high level of numbness, weakness and tingling in various body parts.
The doctor provided him with the medication to treat the viral influenzas, for the temporary
period, he felt quite relieved but after a time the symptoms returned rapidly and he felt
increased weakness, numbness and tingling all over his body.
The factor of viral infection could support the diagnose of Guillain- Barre syndrome
in CB as According to Willison, the respiratory infection is the prime cause for the Guillain-
Barre syndrome (Willison, 2016). Moreover, age is another important factor for the Guillain-
Barre syndrome in an individual to be suffered.
Clinical manifestations of GBS
The Guillain -Barre syndrome is a disease that is usually manifested through an
infection either respiratory or digestive. In the majority of the cases, GBS manifests as
demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy for 2-4 weeks as a benign gastrointestinal or
respiratory illness. The initial stage comprises of the weakness of muscles and finger
dysesthesias in the lower extremities. After the initial stage, within in hours or days, the
symptoms exacerbate leading to weakness in cranial nerves, arms, truncal muscles, and
respiration muscles.
Except for these symptoms, the other symptoms include are acute dysautonomia or
motor dysfunction. Once the medical ailment is identified by the doctor, the mean time taken

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to recover from the symptoms is 12 days. Once the patients reach the nadir, after a point of
time he starts recovering (WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY , 2012).
Diagnoses of Guillain- Barre- syndrome through tests
The diagnosis of Guillain- Barre- syndrome can be done by physical examination and
noting down the symptoms suffered by the respective patient. As physical examination does
not provide the accuracy in the diagnosis of Guillain- barre- syndrome then there are certain
important tests that can be performed which include-
 Lumbar puncture (spinal tap test)-
In the test, a needle for testing GBS is placed around the spinal area through which
cerebrospinal fluid is removed from it. Then the doctors test the fluid for the GBS.
 Electromyography and nerve conduction studies
in the test, the electrical activities of muscles and nerves are measured.
 Magnetic resonance imaging
In the test, the picture of the patient’s spine is taken to analyze if the patient suffers from it
(Willison, 2016).
An immediate concern for CB
The immediate concern for Guillain- Barre- syndrome affects the nervous system of
an individual. it is a situation where the immune system of the body attacks the nervous
system thus causing weakness and sensation all over the body. It can also paralyze some parts
of the body making it a situation of immediate concern for the patients and doctors. it is
essential to cure the symptoms of the Guillain- Barre- syndrome otherwise it would weaken
the muscles and nervous system of a patient.
Once Guillain – barre – Syndrome in a patient is identified, it is essential to treat it by
hospitalizing the patients where the patients can be kept under the doctor’s supervision thus
easing the ways of the patient (Paediatric Nursing).
Symptoms not directly related to GBS

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Confusion is the symptom that is not directly related to GBS but due to the prolonged
weakness and tingling sensation all over the body, a patient can get affected mentally thus
leading to a high degree of confusions in the patients. The increased confusions can increase
the rate of depression in an individual thus leading to mental weakness. It could be said that
confusion is the bot exactly the symptom but the output of GBS (Willison, 2016).

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Bibliography
Paediatric Nursing. (n.d.). Manual Handling. Paediatric Nursing, 18(7), 1.
Willison, H. (2016). Guillain-barre syndrome. The Lancet, 338(2), 717-727.
WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY . (2012). A Comprehensive Review of the Healthy
People 2020 Occupational Safety and Health Objectives: Part 1. Tools for the
Occupational Health Nurse in Goal Attainment. WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY ,
60(1), 43.