Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Academic Term
7-31-2019
Document Type
Project
Course Number
NURS 6810
Course Name
Advanced Pathophysiology for the Advanced Practice Nurse
Professor’s Name
Dr. John Chovan and Dr. Sue Butz
Keywords
Parkinson's Disease, Case Process, Motor Function, Cognitive Function, Nursing Implications for Parkinson's, Improving Quality of Life
Subject Categories
Nursing
Abstract
According to the Parkinson's Disease (PD) foundation, PD is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately dopamine-producing neurons in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra (2019). More than 10 million people worldwide are living with PD, and approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with PD each year ("Understanding parkinson's," 2019). With the growing incidence of this neurodegenerative disease, it is likely that Advanced Practice Nurses (APRN's) in many settings will encounter patients with PD and will have a role in clinical monitoring, identifying when problems arise, and providing care, support, and resources to their PD patients as well as their families (Cotterell, 2018). This paper explores the signs and symptoms, diagnoses and treatment, pathophysiology, the significance of the pathophysiology, and the nursing implications for patients diagnosed with PD in order to help other APRN's better understand how to care for this growing patient population.
Recommended Citation
Parish, Meredith, "The Pathophysiology and Nursing Care for Parkinson's Disease" (2019). Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN). 379.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_msn/379