Anatomy & Physiology for Health Professions 3rd Edition by Bruce Colbert,Jeff Ankney,Karen Lee

Exercise 22

A 30-year-old patient complains of ascending flaccid paralysis that began with tingling in the toes and muscle weakness. He had just recovered from a viral flu. This individual presented to the emergency department after the leg weakness became so profound that he could barely walk, and now he notices his arms weakening. Loss of reflexes was also noted.
Knowing that this patient is losing the ability to use skeletal muscles, what life-threatening condition could occur? _______________________________________________________________________