What assessment findings would the nurse expect to find with a client with progressive myasthenia gravis?

First we must define myasthenia gravis. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease where autoantibodies react with the acetylcholine receptors in the muscle cell membrane found in the neuromuscular junction. Physiologically, acetylcholine (released from the post-synaptic junction of motor neurons) binds to acetylcholine receptors (found in the muscle cell membrane) to cause an action potential and eventually muscle contraction. In a patient with myasthenia gravis, this function is depressed thereby presents with generalized muscle weakness. Patients diagnosed with myasthenia gravis often presents with ptosis (drooping of the eyelid/s), difficulty in mastication or chewing, diplopia (double vision, because the extraocular muscles are often involved), or in severe cases, difficulty of breathing (because there is weakness of the diaphragm, which is the primary muscle for breathing). Physical examination will often reveal motor weakness of the limbs while preserving sensory function.