A patient with myasthenia gravis should have which assessment focused on respiratory status?

• A. Blood pressure
• B. Temperature
• C. Breathing pattern
• D. Respiratory function

Answer: (D)

Myasthenia gravis weakens the muscles used for breathing, so the most important assessment focuses on respiratory function to gauge the patient’s ability to ventilate and clear the airway. Respiratory function provides objective insight into how well the respiratory muscles are working and whether gas exchange is adequate, which is critical because fatigue can lead to hypoventilation and impending respiratory failure in MG. Key measures include ventilatory capacity and strength tests (such as vital capacity and maximal inspiratory/expiratory pressures), as well as the ability to generate a productive cough and maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation (often tracked with oxygen saturation and, if needed, arterial blood gases). While observing breathing pattern (rate, depth, and work of breathing) can signal distress, it does not quantify the patient’s ventilatory reserve or airway clearance capability as directly as respiratory function testing does. Blood pressure and temperature are important for overall assessment but do not specifically reflect the integrity of respiratory muscles or ventilation in MG.