Infectious polyneuritis (Guillain-Barre syndrome) can result in respiratory failure, which can be diagnosed based on clinical and physiologic findings.
Criteria
Finding
clinical
weak or absent cough reflex
incompetent swallowing reflex
weak to absent gag reflex
physiologic
vital capacity <= 12 mL/kg
PaO2 <= 70 mm Hg in room air
Impending respiratory failure is likely if:
(1) 2 clinical criteria is present AND
(2) 1 physiologic criteria is present
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