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Degenerative conditions - Coggle Diagram
Degenerative conditions
Alzheimer's disease
Pathophysiology
• neurofibrillary tangles and the beta amyloid deposition lead to loss of neurons and synapses. This leads to gross atrophy of the affected areas of the brain
Signs and symptoms
• changes in the mood
• cognitive dysfunction
• memory loss
• mental decline
• depression
• aggression and irritation
• difficulty concentrating
Problems
• risk of aspirations
• risk of infections eg, pneumonia
Nursing management
• schedule the days wisely to keep a routine
• do not rush them because they become frustrated if activities are hard
• provide simple instructions to task that they can easily grasp
• Prevent falls by removing any causatives
• administer cholinesterase inhibitor drugs as prescribed
• monitor adverse effects of medication
• monitor disease process for affectivness of treatment regimen
Expected outcome
• manage untreated vascular risk factors such as hypertension as they are associated with fast rate of progression
Parkinson's disease
Signs and symptoms
• tremors
• muscle stiffness
• difficulty walking, standing
• poor coordination
• sleep disturbances
• fatigue
• amnesia and confusion
Pathophysiology
• it is generally associated with the gradual loss of cells in the substantia nigra of the brain. This area is known for dopamine production.
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Nursing management
• physical exercise is encouraged either passive or active. This helps maintain muscle tone.
• councel the family so they can better manage the patient
• support groups to help the patient and family members cope with stressors.
• prevent injury from the muscles being affected.
• administer dopamine promoter
• antidepressant drugs as prescribed
• anti-tremor medication as prescribed
• monitor for adverse effects of medication
• monitor for symptom management
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Multiple sclerosis
Pathophysiology
• the immune system of the body destroys the myelin sheath. When this layer is destroys it causes the impulses to be slowed or blocked.
Signs and symptoms
• fatigue
• pain
• urine incontinence
• muscle spasms
• mental impairment
• speech impairment
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Nursing management
• counseling for the family is needed so they can better care for the patient
• support group this will help with understanding the condition and the expected symptoms
• physical therapy is required for muscle integrity
• physical exercise is also encouraged to prevent muscle degradation
• give antiinflammatory drugs as prescribed
• administer immunosuppressant drugs
• monitor disease process and symptoms to see effectiveness of treatment regimen
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Definition
• it is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks its own tissues. This destroys the myelin fibers.
Huntington's chorea
Pathophysiology
• The inhibitory medium spiny neurons called the caudate nucleus atrophies, that are found in the corpus striatum start to degenerate. This leads to the decrease of the neurotransmitters gamma-aminobutyric acid and substance P.
Signs and symptoms
• seizures
• tremors
• changes in behavior
• amnesia
• psychosis
• poor coordination
• involuntary movements
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Nursing management
• prevent injury from the seizures.
• prevent skin and muscle breakdown, this will be achieved by exercise
• encourage both active and passive exercise to prevent muscle breakdown
• educate the family about the disease process, this will allow them to properly support the patient.
• pad the bed to prevent injury.
• when feeding maintain Fowler's position to prevent any choking
• movement is encouraged for muscle stiffness
• administer diazapam for muscle stiffness
• administer antipsychotic drugs
• monitor adverse effects of prescribed medication.
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Definition
• This is a condition that is inherited. Nerve cells in the brain start to break down over time It had an onset at the age of 30 to 35.
Reference
• Johnson, J., 2008. Handbook for Brunner & Suddarth's textbook of medical-surgical nursing. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.