NUR2571 Final Exam Guide
Alzheimer’s Disease
Etiology
o Unknown but r/t genetics, age and head injuries.
o Neuronal degeneration results in memory loss and loss of speech, reasoning and
higher functioning.
Stages (Review Chart 42-1, know how to identify stages)
o Early/Mild
Poor memory, poor judgment and mild cognitive changes.
o Middle/Moderate
Impairment of all cognitive functions, unable to handle finances,
disorientation to place/time/events, depression or agitation, aphasia,
wandering.
o Late/severe
Weight loss, severe cognitive loss, total dependence, bedridden, agnosia,
incontinence.
Educate patients family on signs and symptoms of stages and what to expect, there is
little point in educating the patient because they will forget.
Review chart 42-1 Iggy, pg. 860
Treatment
o Cholinesterase inhibitors help slow cognitive degeneration
o Antidepressants
o Review Hogan 595 (Know side effects and nursing considerations for
medications)
o Goal is to slow the progression of the disease, Alzheimer’s cannot be cured.
, Recognize that these patients are at high risk for harm in relation to self-care deficit. They
may not be able to feed themselves or clean themselves, so it is the nurses responsibility
to be sure they are fed and cleaned.
Parkinson’s Disease
Etiology
o Degenerative neurological disease
o 4 cardinal signs
Tremor
Muscle rigidity
Bradykinesia
Postural instability
o Dopamine is produced in the substantia nigra and is responsible for controlling
posture and voluntary motions.
Parkinson’s is a result of atrophied substantia nigra causing a decrease in
dopamine production.
Signs and symptoms
o Begin with fatigue and slight tremor
o Progress to bradykinesia, muscle rigidity, slight gaze, uncoordinated movements
and postural disturbance, short shuffled steps. (Think sloth from Zootopia)
o Heat intolerance, excessive head sweating, constipation, anxiety, depression,
sleep disturbance.
Treatment
o Dopamine agonists, dopamine receptor antagonists, antivirals, antichonlinergices,
MAOIs, COMT inhibitors
Carbidopa/levodopa
Review pg 870 for medications and why they work
Stereotactic palliodotomy is a surgical intervention that may relieve
symptoms.
Review pg. 872
o Exercise and ROM BID can maximize function
Alzheimer’s Disease
Etiology
o Unknown but r/t genetics, age and head injuries.
o Neuronal degeneration results in memory loss and loss of speech, reasoning and
higher functioning.
Stages (Review Chart 42-1, know how to identify stages)
o Early/Mild
Poor memory, poor judgment and mild cognitive changes.
o Middle/Moderate
Impairment of all cognitive functions, unable to handle finances,
disorientation to place/time/events, depression or agitation, aphasia,
wandering.
o Late/severe
Weight loss, severe cognitive loss, total dependence, bedridden, agnosia,
incontinence.
Educate patients family on signs and symptoms of stages and what to expect, there is
little point in educating the patient because they will forget.
Review chart 42-1 Iggy, pg. 860
Treatment
o Cholinesterase inhibitors help slow cognitive degeneration
o Antidepressants
o Review Hogan 595 (Know side effects and nursing considerations for
medications)
o Goal is to slow the progression of the disease, Alzheimer’s cannot be cured.
, Recognize that these patients are at high risk for harm in relation to self-care deficit. They
may not be able to feed themselves or clean themselves, so it is the nurses responsibility
to be sure they are fed and cleaned.
Parkinson’s Disease
Etiology
o Degenerative neurological disease
o 4 cardinal signs
Tremor
Muscle rigidity
Bradykinesia
Postural instability
o Dopamine is produced in the substantia nigra and is responsible for controlling
posture and voluntary motions.
Parkinson’s is a result of atrophied substantia nigra causing a decrease in
dopamine production.
Signs and symptoms
o Begin with fatigue and slight tremor
o Progress to bradykinesia, muscle rigidity, slight gaze, uncoordinated movements
and postural disturbance, short shuffled steps. (Think sloth from Zootopia)
o Heat intolerance, excessive head sweating, constipation, anxiety, depression,
sleep disturbance.
Treatment
o Dopamine agonists, dopamine receptor antagonists, antivirals, antichonlinergices,
MAOIs, COMT inhibitors
Carbidopa/levodopa
Review pg 870 for medications and why they work
Stereotactic palliodotomy is a surgical intervention that may relieve
symptoms.
Review pg. 872
o Exercise and ROM BID can maximize function
