Botulism: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

Botulism: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

Clinical features of botulism include all of the following except

A. Paresthesia
B. Dysphagia
C. Diplopia
D. Fixed/dilated pupils

Answer and topic summary

The answer is A: Paresthesia

Paresthesia is not a feature of botulism. All other options are features.

View blueprint lesson

Botulism Pearls

  • Caused by a neurotoxin elaborated by Clostridium botulinum a gram-positive bacillus, which is an anaerobic, spore-forming bacteria
  • Associated with home-canned food products and honey in infants (wait until babies are at least 12 months before introducing honey)
  • Presents with double vision, drooping of eyelids, inability to make facial expressions, and difficulty swallowing
  • Autonomic nervous system effects may cause dry mouth, postural hypotension, nausea, vomiting, and constipation
  • Can lead to complete flaccid paralysis which is deadly if it involves respiratory muscles
  • In infants, symptoms include constipation and generalized weakness, with weak crying, poor feeding, lethargy, and loss of head control (floppy baby syndrome)

Diagnosis

  • Diagnosis is by toxin assays
  • Sometimes electromyography

Treatment

  • Treatment is supportive
  • The greatest threat to life is respiratory impairment and its complications
  • IV botulinum immunoglobulin/heptavalent botulinum antitoxin
  • Correct canning and adequate heating of home-canned food before serving are essential
  • Canned foods showing evidence of spoilage and swollen or leaking cans should be discarded

Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:

Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint Infectious Disease ⇒ Bacterial Disease ⇒ Botulism

 

View this post on Instagram

 

T𝐡𝐞 (𝐀𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭) 𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭: Today's Blueprint topic is Botulism! Make sure to swipe right to see all the topic slides!⁣ ⁣ Join me as I cover the entire PANCE blueprint. Subscribe for the FREE 60-day PANCE and PANRE board review email series and follow along with my new Trello PANCE Blueprint Board (link in bio). ⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ Need more information on this topic? Head over to my companion website at http://ed.gr/bzdgb ⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ #pa #paintraining #medicalquestions #physicianassistant #physicianassistantstudent #physicianassistantschool #physicianassistantlife #physicianassistantstudies #physicianassociate #nursepractitionerstudent #nursepractitioner #medstudent #palife #pasofinstagram #pasofinsta #npstudent #pastudent #paschool⁠ #smartypance #thepalife

A post shared by Smarty PANCE | Test Prep (@smarty.pance) on