Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Part Two
Continuing Education in Respiratory Therapy 2014
The following program is part of a one contact hour CE
program. Study the material, complete and mail the post
test and you will receive a certificate for 1contact hour.
Clinical Data Obtained from
Laboratory Tests and Special
Procedures
Pulmonary Function Test Findings
Moderate to Severe
(Restrictive Lung Pathophysiology)
Forced Expiratory Flow Rate Findings
FVC
FEF50%
N or
FEVT
N or
FEV1/FVC ratio
N or
FEF200-1200
N or
FEF25%-75%
N or
PEFR
MVV
N or
N or
Pulmonary Function Test Findings
Moderate to Severe
(Restrictive Lung Pathophysiology)
Lung Volume & Capacity Findings
VT
IRV
IC
FRC
*****
NIP
ERV
TLC
RV
VC
RV/TLC ratio
N
Arterial Blood Gases
Moderate to Severe Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Acute Ventilatory Failure with Hypoxemia
(Acute Respiratory Acidosis)
pH
PaCO2
HCO3
(Slightly)
PaO2
Oxygenation Indices
QS/QT
DO2
VO2
N
C(a-v)O2
N
O2ER
SvO2
Radiologic Findings
Chest Radiograph
Normal, or
Increased opacity (when atelectasis is present)
General Management of
Guillain-Barré Syndrome
• Guillain-Barré syndrome is a potential
medical emergency that must be
monitored closely after the diagnosis has
been made.
• The primary treatment should be directed
at stabilization of vital signs and supportive
care for the patient.
• Initially, such patients should be managed
in an intensive care unit.
General Management of
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (Cont’d)
• Frequent measurements of the patient’s vital
capacity (VC), negative inspiratory force (NIF),
blood pressure, pulse oxygenation saturation,
and arterial blood gases should be performed.
• Mechanical ventilation should be initiated
when the clinical data demonstrate impending
or acute ventilatory...