Signs and Symptoms
Rhythmic shaking called tremor which mainly
commences in a limb, often your hands or fingers
Slowed movement which makes simple tasks time-
consuming and very hard
Rigid Muscles – it can take place in any part of the
body and tends to limit the movement of the body
Loss of automatic movements – reduced capacity to
carry out unconscious body movements such as
twinkling
Other
Despite the fact that the progression of Parkinson’s
disease is slow, the daily routines of the person can
be impacted.
Some activities such as taking care of the home,
working, and engaging in social activities with
friends can be an uphill task.
Treatment or Medication
• Individuals with Parkinson’s disease need a
medication known as Levodopa.
• The medicine is absorbed in the brain by the nerve
cells and turned into a chemical substance
dopamine which is eventually utilized in relaying
messages between the various parts of the brain a
nerves that control movement
• In many instances, the patients usually take the
Levodopa medicine with another medication that is
known as Carbidopa
Pathophysiology
• The disease is epitomized by the loss of neurons within the
substantial nigra pars compacta (SNpc)
• About 80 percent of the dopaminergic neurons are usually
lost before even the motor signs of Parkinson’s disease even
surface
• Additionally, there is the presence of eosinophilic deposits of
proteins in the same region, and also in limbic and cortical
structures
• As a matter of fact, many people who were believed to be
normal neurologically during the time of their deaths were
found to have Lewy bodies after an autopsy was conducted
Concept Map for Parkinson
Disease
Nursing Implications
The nurse has to assess the patient's ability to chew and
swallow
Evaluation of the neurological status
Increasing fluid intake to 2 liters per day
Monitoring constipation
administration of antiparkinsonian medications to elevate the
level of dopamine within the central nervous system
When it comes to personal care, a frontline healthcare worker
might have to check for the presence of a redness within the
coccyx
Diagnostic/Labs
There is no specific lab test that can allow the doctor
to detect that a person has Parkinson’s disease
Nonetheless, some tests like a dopamine transporter
scan or Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain can
be used for the support of Parkinson’s disease or rule
out other illnesses that tend to mimic PD
For instance
A blood test for liver damage or abnormal thyroid
hormone
An MRI or CT scan can be used to look for the sings
of a brain tumor or stroke
The nursing priorities for the disease encompass
sustenance of independence in performing ADLs,
enhancing functional mobility, preventing falls and
promoting the safety of the patient, attaining an optimum
bowel elimination, maintaining effective
communication, and achieving and maintaining an
acceptable nutritional status
Patient Teaching
Some of the lifestyle changes are instrumental when
coping with PD.
The patients should be encouraged to remain healthy,
shun smoking, and take nutritious foods.
If the patient has swallowing problems, he or should
seek speech therapist intervention.