Lecture Notes on Parkinson's Disease

Introduction

• Professor De welcomes back the audience and explains summer break routine.
• Focus of lecture: Parkinson's Disease.
• Mentions resources available on the Nexus Nursing Institute website and social media.

Overview of Parkinson's Disease

• Cause: Degenerative disease caused by depletion of dopamine.

Symptoms and Progression

• Order of Symptoms:
  • Tremors
  • Rigidity
  • Bradykinesia (Slow movement)
  • Akinesia (No movement)
• Progressive disorder: Symptoms worsen over time.

Key Symptoms

• TRAP Symptoms:
  • Tremors
  • Rigidity
  • Akinesia
  • Postural instability
• Shuffling gait: Risk for falls due to shuffling and stooped posture.
• Safety concerns: Fall prevention and aspiration due to drooling.

Nursing Care

• Maintaining Mobility:
  • Encourage rocking back and forth to start movement.
  • Teach patients to lift legs over imaginary lines to encourage movement.
• Dietary Recommendations:
  • High calorie, high protein, high fiber diet to maintain energy and prevent constipation.

Treatment and Medication

• Medications to Avoid:
  • Avoid MAOIs due to risk of hypertensive crisis with levodopa/carbidopa.
• Anticholinergics: Used to treat tremors and rigidity.
• Foods to Avoid: High in Vitamin B6 as they block effects of anti-parkinsonian drugs.

Adverse Drug Reactions

• Carbidopa/Levodopa Reactions:
  • Heart palpitations
  • Cardiac arrhythmias
  • Dizziness
  • Orthostatic hypotension
  • Fluctuations in vital signs
  • Increased liver enzymes

Conclusion

• Emphasis on careful monitoring and management of symptoms and medication side effects.