(^216) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified
- What to do in case of a seizure, how to protect the patient from further
injury, time the seizure, monitor for breathing, when to call the doctor or
EMS. - Call your physician at any signs of change in the level of consciousness—
drowsiness, lethargy, change in personality.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
WHAT WENT WRONG?
ALS is commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease and is a progressive, degenerative
disorder that involves both the upper and lower motor neurons. There is no change
in mental status or sensory function with the disease. The disease does result in
paralysis of the motor system, except the eyes. As the disease is more progressed,
families often can communicate with the patient through eye movements. Males
are affected more commonly than females. The disorder may present at any age,
but the age at onset is usually between 40 and late 60s. There is a familial form of
the disease that has been linked to an abnormality in chromosome 21.PROGNOSIS
The disease is rapidly progressive and there is currently no known cure. As the
muscles weaken and atrophy, paralysis develops. Over time, the respiratory mus-
cles become involved. At first this results in poor air exchange, increasing the risk
for respiratory infections, such as pneumonia. Eventually, the respiratory compro-
mise leads to death from respiratory failure.HALLMARK SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Fatigue, especially with exertion
- Atrophy of muscles due to weakness
- Dysphagia (trouble swallowing) due to muscular weakness
- Weakness of muscles in the limbs
- Muscle twitching (fasciculation) due to changes within the muscles
- Slurred speech due to muscle weakness
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