Diagnosis
Diagnosis of PD is based predominantly on the detailed assessment of signs and symptoms and medical history. The clinical diagnosis of PD is made when two or more of the cardinal symptoms are asymmetrically present. Again the cardinal symptoms include bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity, and postural instability with all other causes ruled out. Unfortunately, no lab test, radiologic study, or biopsy can confirm the diagnosis of PD. Therefore, the progressive decline of motor function accompanied by tremors and rigidity is crucial during diagnosis of the disease (Foster & Zink, 2017, p. 761).
Observing the patient on a trial dopamine medication, such as Levodopa or Dopamine antagonist can also help aid in the diagnosis of PD. …show more content…
As a result, both medical and surgical managements are critical for those affected by PD. Due to the wide array of drugs used in the treatment of PD, it can be quite difficult to find the right drug or combinations of drugs for a patient. Pharmacological therapy is not begun until symptoms cause disability, and is dependent on both the patient’s age, and the symptoms they are seeking to control. To our knowledge, major motor symptoms occur as a result of dopamine loss and an imbalance of neurotransmitters. With that said, pharmacologic therapy is primarily focused on altering levels of dopamine within the brain. Anti-parkinson drugs used in the management of chronic PD include dopaminergics, dopamine-receptor agonists, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOB), catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT), and …show more content…
The severity and presentation of symptoms are unique to each patient, as a consequence of increasing dopaminergic cell loss, changes in the ANS, and disproportion of neurotransmitters. This care plan identifies the top three complications a nurse uses in management of a patient with chronic Parkinson’s. The priority Parkinson’s Disease problems include impaired mobility, a risk for falls, and a knowledge deficit about the disease. The first complication of PD, impaired physical mobility, is extremely important as Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by significant motor dysfunction. Impaired mobility is most commonly related to neuromuscular impairment, insufficient muscle strength, and weakness. Because Parkinson’s is both chronic and progressive it is crucial for the nurse to perform ongoing assessments of the patient's mobility status. The nurse should assess and evaluate how motor and nonmotor symptoms affect a patient's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) effectively and safely. In addition to evaluating ADLs, based on the level of physical disability, the nurse will evaluate the need for ambulatory aids and home
Diagnosis of PD is based predominantly on the detailed assessment of signs and symptoms and medical history. The clinical diagnosis of PD is made when two or more of the cardinal symptoms are asymmetrically present. Again the cardinal symptoms include bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity, and postural instability with all other causes ruled out. Unfortunately, no lab test, radiologic study, or biopsy can confirm the diagnosis of PD. Therefore, the progressive decline of motor function accompanied by tremors and rigidity is crucial during diagnosis of the disease (Foster & Zink, 2017, p. 761).
Observing the patient on a trial dopamine medication, such as Levodopa or Dopamine antagonist can also help aid in the diagnosis of PD. …show more content…
As a result, both medical and surgical managements are critical for those affected by PD. Due to the wide array of drugs used in the treatment of PD, it can be quite difficult to find the right drug or combinations of drugs for a patient. Pharmacological therapy is not begun until symptoms cause disability, and is dependent on both the patient’s age, and the symptoms they are seeking to control. To our knowledge, major motor symptoms occur as a result of dopamine loss and an imbalance of neurotransmitters. With that said, pharmacologic therapy is primarily focused on altering levels of dopamine within the brain. Anti-parkinson drugs used in the management of chronic PD include dopaminergics, dopamine-receptor agonists, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOB), catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT), and …show more content…
The severity and presentation of symptoms are unique to each patient, as a consequence of increasing dopaminergic cell loss, changes in the ANS, and disproportion of neurotransmitters. This care plan identifies the top three complications a nurse uses in management of a patient with chronic Parkinson’s. The priority Parkinson’s Disease problems include impaired mobility, a risk for falls, and a knowledge deficit about the disease. The first complication of PD, impaired physical mobility, is extremely important as Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by significant motor dysfunction. Impaired mobility is most commonly related to neuromuscular impairment, insufficient muscle strength, and weakness. Because Parkinson’s is both chronic and progressive it is crucial for the nurse to perform ongoing assessments of the patient's mobility status. The nurse should assess and evaluate how motor and nonmotor symptoms affect a patient's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) effectively and safely. In addition to evaluating ADLs, based on the level of physical disability, the nurse will evaluate the need for ambulatory aids and home