Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing 12th Edition – Chapter 69 Summary & 100 NCLEX Questions | Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders | NUR 321 / NURS 421

Chapter 69 of Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing, 12th Edition delves into Parkinson’s disease (PD) and related movement disorders, providing a detailed overview of their pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic criteria, treatment, and nursing management. This chapter equips nursing students with critical knowledge to provide safe, patient-centered care to individuals living with these progressive neurological conditions. Key topics include the etiology and pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease—highlighting dopamine deficiency in the substantia nigra—and the cardinal signs of PD: tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. The chapter outlines the clinical progression of the disease, including non-motor symptoms like sleep disturbances, depression, and cognitive impairment. It also covers other movement disorders such as Huntington’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia, helping learners differentiate between them through symptom comparison and diagnostic workups. Nursing care strategies are grounded in the nursing process (ADPIE) and emphasize medication management (e.g., levodopa-carbidopa), mobility support, fall prevention, and caregiver education. The importance of interdisciplinary care, including physical and occupational therapy, is also discussed to optimize patient function and quality of life. This chapter bridges neurological science with compassionate nursing, preparing students to support patients and families navigating the complexities of degenerative motor conditions.