Guillain-Barre Syndrome — NCLEX Cheat Sheet
Ascending paralysis, watch breathing
👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team
🕐 Updated 2026-07-11
🏷️ Physiological Adaptation
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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Guillain-Barre Syndrome on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
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- Autoimmune demyelinates peripheral
- Post-viral/GI infection trigger
- Ascending symmetric weakness
- Starts feet → moves up
- Paresthesias, ↓ DTRs, autonomic
- Resp muscle paralysis = #1 risk
- Monitor vital capacity, prep vent
- BP/HR swings = autonomic instab.
- Plasmapheresis or IVIG
- DVT prevention, recovery descends
✨Quick Tip
Weakness and paralysis are symmetric and typically ascend from the legs upward.
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