A newly admitted patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome is not stable because the condition may progress to what complication?

A newly admitted patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome is not stable because the condition may progress to what complication?

• A. Stable vital signs with no risk.
• B. Respiratory failure requiring monitoring.
• C. Rapid spontaneous recovery within hours.
• D. Isolated, non-contagious case.

Answer: (B)

Guillain-Barré syndrome can progress to respiratory failure when the muscles used for breathing become weak. The weakness can ascend to involve the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, leading to inadequate ventilation. Because this deterioration can occur over hours to days, patients must be carefully monitored for respiratory status and prepared for airway support if needed. Monitoring tools and signs to watch include decreased vital capacity, weak cough, shallow breathing, increasing work of breathing, abnormal blood gases, and difficulty clearing secretions. This risk makes respiratory monitoring the priority in an admitted patient. The other scenarios—stable vital signs with no risk, rapid recovery within hours, or a non-contagious isolated case—do not reflect the potentially life-threatening progression to respiratory failure that guides initial management.

Guillain-Barré syndrome can progress to respiratory failure when the muscles used for breathing become weak. The weakness can ascend to involve the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, leading to inadequate ventilation. Because this deterioration can occur over hours to days, patients must be carefully monitored for respiratory status and prepared for airway support if needed. Monitoring tools and signs to watch include decreased vital capacity, weak cough, shallow breathing, increasing work of breathing, abnormal blood gases, and difficulty clearing secretions. This risk makes respiratory monitoring the priority in an admitted patient. The other scenarios—stable vital signs with no risk, rapid recovery within hours, or a non-contagious isolated case—do not reflect the potentially life-threatening progression to respiratory failure that guides initial management.