Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Degenerative conditions www.nurse'slab.co.za - Coggle Diagram
Degenerative conditions www.nurse'slab.co.za
Definition
It's a progressive and irreversible, degenerative, fatal disease and is the most common form of dementia( Brain disorder)
A disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions
Causes
Abnormal build-up of proteins in and around the brain
Risk factors
Age 65 and above
Chronic conditions like heart diseases, stroke and diabetes
Diagnostic test
CT scan
MRI
Blood tests
Diet
A well balanced diet with less salt intake and less sugar
Clinical manifestations
Mental decline
Delusion
Disorientation
Agitation, irritability and getting lost
Hallucination, paranoia
Medical treatment
No cure exists but medication and management strategies may improve symptoms temporarily
Cholinesterase inhibitors eg. Donepezil, Galantamine & Rivastigmine
Pathophysiology
The beta-amyloid deposition and neurofibrillary tangles lead to loss of synapses and neurons, which results in gross atrophy of the affected areas of the brain, typically starting at the mesial temporal lobe.
Nursing management
Nursing diagnosis
Chronic confusion related to Alzheimer's disease as evidenced by decreased capacity of thought, memory impairment and disorientation
Expected outcome
Minimal confusion
Decreased anxiety
Patient tolerating stimuli one at a time
Interventions
Assess patient for reversible dementia, causes, memory loss and socialization to establish a plan of care
Avoid emotionally charged situations or conversations to calm the patient and prevent stress and sudden change of emotions
Provide time for reminiscing if patient so desires to allow memory of past pleasant events to allow patient to relive those good memories
Limit sensory stimuli and independent decision-taking
Assist with establishing cues and reminders for patient's assistance
Never argue with the patient about what he/she may be seeing, hearing and what they think because the patient may feel agitated and violent.
Definition
A disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement often includes tremors.
Causes
Loss of neurons
Genes
Risk factors
Age (affects mostly middle-late age)
Heredity
Sex (Common in men)
Complications
Thinking difficulties
Depression and emotional changes
Swallowing problems
Bladder problems
Clinical manifestations
Tremors
Bradykinesia
Rigid muscles
Impaired posture
Speech changes
Loss of automatic movements
Diagnostic tests
No specific tests done, Neurologists diagnose based of medical history
Medical treatment
Carbidopa-levodopa
Dopamine agonists
MAO B inhibitors
Catechol O-methyltransferase inhibitors
Anticholinergics
Amantadine
Diet
A well balanced diet
Pathophysiology
Death of the dopaminergic neurons as a result of changes in biological activity in the brain.
Primarily associated with the gradual loss of cells in the substantia nigra of the brain. This area is responsible for the production of dopamine.
Dopamine is a chemical messenger that transmit signals between two regions of the brain to coordinate activity.
If there's a deficiency of dopamine, there is no control of movements and this then lead to the symptoms of Parkinson's disease
Nursing management
Diagnosis
Disturbed thought process related to Parkinsonian medications as evidenced by inaccurate interpretation of the environment
Interventions
Assess the patient for depressive behaviors, causative events and orientate patient to reality
Use a non judgmental attitude towards the patient and attend to their concerns
Assess for possible suicidal ideation
Evaluation
patient should be showing signs of improvements after mentioned nursing interventions
