CHAPTER 5 Nervous System^233
- Progressive dementia as disease causes further neurologic degeneration
- Restlessness or fidgeting due to dyskinesia
- Abnormal, jerking movements (chorea)
- Depression
INTERPRETING TEST RESULTS
- Genetic testing can detect gene presence even prior to onset of symptoms.
- CT scan shows cerebral atrophy later in disease.
- MRI shows atrophy later in disease.
- Positron emission tomography (PET) shows decrease in glucose uptake in
specific areas in a structurally normal brain.
TREATMENT
Huntington’s disease is progressive and while there is no cure for it, medications
can be used to control symptoms.
- Genetic counseling.
- Control dyskinesia and behavior with medication to block dopamine receptors:
- phenothiazines
- haloperidol
- reserpine.
NURSING DIAGNOSES
- Risk for injury
- Impaired physical mobility
- Ineffective health maintenance
NURSING INTERVENTION
- Provide basic needs for the patient, assist with ADLs as needed.
- Protect the patient from suicide attempts due to depression.