What indicates that a client is experiencing a cholinergic crisis after an edrophonium (Enlon) injection?

A cholinergic crisis occurs when there's an excessive accumulation of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, typically due to inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, which can happen with medications like edrophonium. This temporary worsening of the condition signifies that edrophonium has increased cholinergic activity instead of decreasing it, leading to symptoms such as muscle weakness, spasms, or respiratory distress.

In this context, a temporary worsening typically manifests as increased muscle weakness or increased fasciculations after the administration of edrophonium, which indicates that the client is experiencing an adverse reaction rather than a therapeutic one. Recognizing this response is crucial because it helps differentiate between a cholinergic crisis and a myasthenic crisis, ensuring appropriate medical intervention. Therefore, the indication of a temporary worsening of the client's condition is a hallmark sign of a cholinergic crisis, validating the choice.