A 45-year-old man develops progressive ascending weakness and areflexia over 5 days following a diarrhoeal illness. He is struggling to climb stairs a...

Question

A 45-year-old man develops progressive ascending weakness and areflexia over 5 days following a diarrhoeal illness. He is struggling to climb stairs and feels short of breath on exertion. Examination shows symmetrical limb weakness and absent deep tendon reflexes. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Urgent admission for monitoring of respiratory function and consideration of intravenous immunoglobulin

Answer

Reassure and review in 1 week

Answer

Start high-dose oral Prednisolone

Answer

Start long-term Phenytoin therapy

Answer

Arrange outpatient physiotherapy only

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Guillain–Barré syndrome