NR 328 EDAPT NURSING CARE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY|2025 UPDATE COMPLETE
Nursing Care of the Child with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
DMD is a progressive, fatal, and inherited disease for which there is no cure. However,
advancements in the care of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy has improved
life expectancy in recent decades.
Gower Sign
The nurse is assessing a 3-year-old who has a history of delayed development.
How can the nurse assess for Gower sign?
Gower sign is when a child uses their arms to stand up from a sitting position. Skipping,
walking backwards, and walking in a straight line are normal developmental milestones
for a 3-year-old.
Diagnostic Tests
Which information can be used to confirm the diagnosis of Duchenne muscular
dystrophy? Select all that apply.
The client’s clinical manifestations (such as delayed walking, frequent falling, decrease in
lower extremity strength, Gower sign, or increased calf size), a blood test, muscle biopsy,
and family history are all considered when diagnosing Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Prenatal diagnosis is also possible.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Inheritance
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an X-linked recessive disorder that is passed to
males. It presents primarily with muscle weakness. Respiratory and cardiac
complications are common as the disease progresses.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Inheritance
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most severe and most common type of
muscular dystrophy. It is an inherited X-linked recessive disease affecting males, so it is
passed to sons by mothers who are carriers of the disease.
, Unaffected father (XY) and unaffected carrier mother (XX) can potentially have the
following offspring:
• Unaffected son (XY)
• Unaffected daughter (XX)
• Affected son (XY)
• Unaffected carrier daughter (XX)
*Bold X represents the DMD trait.
Clinical Manifestations
The onset of Duchenne muscular dystrophy is usually between 3 and 5 years of age. The
primary symptom is progressive muscle weakness. Other clinical manifestations and
specific information are included below.
• Lower extremity muscles are usually affected before the upper extremity muscles.
• Initial symptoms include difficulty jumping, running, walking, and Gower sign.
• Other symptoms include enlarged calves, waddling gait, and an inward curve of
the spine.
• Independent ambulation is usually lost by 9 to 12 years old.
• Progressive weakness and scoliosis result in impaired pulmonary function.
Nursing Care of the Child with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
DMD is a progressive, fatal, and inherited disease for which there is no cure. However,
advancements in the care of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy has improved
life expectancy in recent decades.
Gower Sign
The nurse is assessing a 3-year-old who has a history of delayed development.
How can the nurse assess for Gower sign?
Gower sign is when a child uses their arms to stand up from a sitting position. Skipping,
walking backwards, and walking in a straight line are normal developmental milestones
for a 3-year-old.
Diagnostic Tests
Which information can be used to confirm the diagnosis of Duchenne muscular
dystrophy? Select all that apply.
The client’s clinical manifestations (such as delayed walking, frequent falling, decrease in
lower extremity strength, Gower sign, or increased calf size), a blood test, muscle biopsy,
and family history are all considered when diagnosing Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Prenatal diagnosis is also possible.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Inheritance
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an X-linked recessive disorder that is passed to
males. It presents primarily with muscle weakness. Respiratory and cardiac
complications are common as the disease progresses.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Inheritance
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most severe and most common type of
muscular dystrophy. It is an inherited X-linked recessive disease affecting males, so it is
passed to sons by mothers who are carriers of the disease.
, Unaffected father (XY) and unaffected carrier mother (XX) can potentially have the
following offspring:
• Unaffected son (XY)
• Unaffected daughter (XX)
• Affected son (XY)
• Unaffected carrier daughter (XX)
*Bold X represents the DMD trait.
Clinical Manifestations
The onset of Duchenne muscular dystrophy is usually between 3 and 5 years of age. The
primary symptom is progressive muscle weakness. Other clinical manifestations and
specific information are included below.
• Lower extremity muscles are usually affected before the upper extremity muscles.
• Initial symptoms include difficulty jumping, running, walking, and Gower sign.
• Other symptoms include enlarged calves, waddling gait, and an inward curve of
the spine.
• Independent ambulation is usually lost by 9 to 12 years old.
• Progressive weakness and scoliosis result in impaired pulmonary function.
