HealthStream Practice Test

Guillain-Barré syndrome is characterized by rapid onset ascending paralysis, which typically begins with weakness and tingling in the legs and can progress to muscle weakness or paralysis. A significant concern with this condition is that it can lead to respiratory failure, as the muscles that control breathing can become weakened. This condition arises when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves, leading to inflammation and demyelination.

The progression of weakness often starts in the lower extremities and moves upward, which is why it is referred to as "ascending." The urgency of treatment is critical since respiratory muscles may become compromised, necessitating close monitoring and potential interventions like mechanical ventilation for those severely affected.

In contrast, conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis primarily affect motor neurons, leading to progressive muscle weakness but do not typically have the same acute ascending pattern. Multiple sclerosis involves a different pathophysiology related to demyelination in the central nervous system and is less about acute ascending weakness. Parkinson's disease is mainly characterized by motor symptoms related to movement and tremors, and it does not present with ascending weakness as seen in Guillain-Barré syndrome.