What bedside readiness item should be available for a patient with myasthenia gravis to manage airway issues?

• A. To monitor respiratory rate
• B. To manage potential aspiration or respiratory distress
• C. To deliver inhaled medications
• D. To secure a tracheostomy

Answer: (B)

Airway protection can deteriorate quickly in myasthenia gravis because bulbar and respiratory muscle weakness raise the risk of aspiration and sudden respiratory failure. The bedside readiness item should directly address how to handle airway compromise the moment it occurs. Having a suction device at the bedside allows immediate clearance of secretions, vomitus, or other obstructions, which is crucial to prevent aspiration and to relieve evolving respiratory distress. This readiness also typically pairs with ready access to supplemental oxygen and basic airway equipment so you can support ventilation while assessing or securing the airway.

Monitoring respiratory rate is important for detection, but it does not actively manage an airway emergency. Delivering inhaled medications helps with bronchospasm or other reactive airways conditions, not the airway protection challenges seen in MG. Securing a tracheostomy is an important definitive airway in long-term or severe cases, but it’s not something you establish at the moment of an acute event; it’s a more specialized intervention. The key is having a tool and plan at the bedside to rapidly manage aspiration risk and deteriorating breathing.