Nursing Problems of Patients with Parkinson’s Disease — Case Report

Abstract

Introduction. Parkinson’s disease is considered to be one of degenerative disorders of the central nervous system. It is classified as an incurable, progressive disease leading to significant deficits in self-care. It is regarded, just after Alzheimer’s disease, as a disease of the elderly, which relates to the central nervous system (CNS). The mechanisms being the basis of this disease have not been completely understood.
Case Report. The case study refers to a 72-year-old woman diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and comorbid dizziness. This work has presented nursing diagnosis and the nursing process. There have been defined patient’s problems, the purpose of the care and its implementation by planning activities. There has been also made an assessment, which is a comparison of the results of the care obtained with the objectives assumed. This work is a description of the case of a theoretical patient.
Discussion. One of the most important persons taking care of a patient with PD is the nurse. In the proces of hospital treatment hospital nurse becomes the closest person to the patient. Therefore, she is required to maintain a professional therapeutic contact with the patient. The role of the nurse is primarily to motivate the patient to take actions which will lead to a slowdown in the progress of the disease (ie. encouragement to participate in activities with a therapist, to talk to a psychologist, exercise with a physiotherapist). The patient described has a problem with low self-esteem and a critical attitude towards herself. It is difficult for her to establish contacts and maintain relationship with another person. Such signals should be noticed by the nurse. The nurse is required to respond adequately to the aforementioned symptoms.
Conclusions. Parkinson’s disease is defined as a primary degenerative process of the extrapyramidal system. In its course it is characterised by a slow and degenerative process. The patient described by us is fully aware of her state of health as well as of the nature of the disease. This involves a significant decrease of mood, apathy and fear. She cannot accept her condition and the developing deficit of self-care resulting from the progress of the disease. In the case of our patient after discharge from hospital there was recommended further therapy with a psychologist and participation in classes conducted by an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist. (JNNN 2016;5(4):156–161)