A client with myasthenia gravis asks the nurse, "what is going to happen to me and to my family?" what information about what the client can anticipate should be incorporated into the nurse's response?

The nurses response would be fairly straightforward. Pending tests that confirm the patient certainly does have myasthenia gravis, the nurse would explain certain features of the disease, and it's classification of a autoimmune and neuromuscular disease. A brief overview of symptoms would be addressed, such as: drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing and hanging jaw. It should be stressed that the patient will most likely be ok, as myasthenia gravis is very manageable with treatment. Though medication is the most common treatment, the nurse should note that surgery may be required. The patient's family has little to worry about, other than being there for emotional support as it cannot be transmitted to them, and they should not expect to experience a loss or a burden of care.