Nursing 213

N213: Health Differences Across the Lifespan 3 Study Guide Expected outcomes for epilepsy (seizure disorders): • Patient does not experience any episodes of aspiration • Patient remains free from injury • Patient demonstrates ability to maintain social interaction • Demonstrates adequate maintenance of anticonvulsant drug levels and proper lab follow-up • Verbalizes understanding of treatment regimen and medication schedule • Verbalizes understanding of disease, importance of follow-up with MD, and seizure precautions Huntington’s Disease This is a rare disease that is caused by an autosomal dominant genetic anomaly. The genetic link is so strong that if a parent has Huntington’s disease, their child has a 50% chance of acquiring the disease. The onset usually occurs between the ages of 35 and 45, but can appear in younger people in their 20s. The condition is almost always fatal with a 10 to 15 year lifespan after diagnosis due to pneumonia, aspiration, heart failure, and infections. Huntington’s disease causes uncontrolled movements (chorea), mental deterioration, and dementia. It progresses due to the death of the cells that make up the basal ganglia; this is the part of the brain that controls voluntary movement. The cerebral cortex is then affected and thinking declines, along with cognition, memory, judgement, and perception. Signs and symptoms of Huntington’s disease: • Chorea (involuntary movements) • Abnormal gait • Loss of gait (non-ambulatory) • Incontinence • Depression • Anxiety • Anger • Delusions • Memory loss • Slurred speech • Paranoia • Cognitive decline • Facial grimaces • Clumsiness Nursing assessment for Huntington’s disease: • Neurological assessment for uncontrolled movements (chorea) • Check gait and ability to ambulate • Take thorough family history on genetic diseases • Encourage patient to talk about emotions, take note of cognition andmemory, as well as ability to communicate thoughts

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