NCLEX Review & Nursing School

Parkinsons Disease

– degenerative disease caused by the decrease and lack of dopamine in the brain.

*There is a decrease in dopamine (and increased in acetylcholine)

Diagnostics:

• CAT Scan
• MRI
• CT Scan

Assessment:

• TREMORS IN HANDS AND FINGERS (PILL ROLLING)
• AKINESIA
• BRADYKINESIA
• BLANK FACIAL EXPRESSION
• SHUFFLING STEPS AND GAIT
• RESTLESSNESS

TREATMENTS:

Antiparkinsonian Agents

Cholinergic Medications  (Anticholinesterase)

– they help relieve the muscle weakness.

– blocks acetycholine breakdown. 

• Pyridostigmine (Mestinon)
• Neostigmine (Prostigmine)
• Edrophonium Chloride (Tensilon)
• – Used for Myasthenia Gravis

Dopaminergics

Levodopa

  *Levodopa is contraindicated w/ pts. with angle-closure glaucoma.

Carbidopa/ Levodopa

side effects:

• Dyskinesia
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Depression
• Urinary tract infection
• Headache