NCLEX Review & Nursing School

Lou Gehrig’s Disease/ Amyothropic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Degeneration of the nerves that controls the voluntary muscles.

ASSESSMENT:

• Muscle Weakness and Twitching
• Fatigue
• dysphagia
• dysarthia (difficulty swallowing)
• cramping

– Lowe extremities are usually involved late in the disease.

Treatment:

Riluzole (Rilutek)

Side Effects:

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite
• dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms

Antispasmodics

• baclofen
• diazepam

Interventions:

Conserve energy by spacing activities.

Small frequent feedings.