1. Ida Parker, a 67-year-old patient, was admitted to the intensive care unit with the diagnosis of lung cancer and underwent a left lower lobectomy. The patient has a history of Parkinson’s disease. The patient was 2 days postoperative when the nurse noted that she had not received her anti-Parkinson’s medications for 2 days. The patient was frozen and unable to move or talk to the nurse. (Learning Objective 4)

a. What actions should the nurse take next?

b. The physician reorders the carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet) and benztropine meysylate (Cogentin). The physician orders an enteral feeding tube placed and confirmed by chest x-ray. Once the radiologist has confirmed correct placement, tube feeding with the specified formula that is higher in carbohydrates and lower in protein will begin. What is the rationale for the enteral feeding tube? How should the nurse administer the medications?

2. The clinical nurse specialist working on the neurologic units is asked by the staff to develop a list of supportive resources for patients and their families who are affected by oncologic or degenerative neurologic disorders. The clinical nurse specialist provides both national and local services available on this list that staff may use when caring for patients and their families. (Learning Objective 5)

The national support services are accessible to patients and their families with neurologic oncology disorders as following;

a. What national support services are available for patients/families diagnosed with neurologic oncology problems? (Provide a brief description of the services provided.)

b. What local support services and online support groups are available for patients/families diagnosed with neurologic oncology problems?

c. What national support services are available for patients/families diagnosed with degenerative neurologic problems? (Provide a brief description of the services provided.)

d. What local support services and online support groups are available for patients/families diagnosed with degenerative neurologic problems?

Solution

• The nurse should first put in place safety measure by placing side rails while keeping patient away from all objects to avoid falls and injuries
• Evaluate the patient’s functional level
• Help the patient in daily activities
• Monitor vital signs

Since the patient is unable to swallow food due to the muscle rigidity caused by Parkinson’s disease, it becomes necessary to insert the enteral feeding tube. In this case, enteral tube feeding is the best option as far meeting the nutritional requirements and administering medication for the patient is concerned. Ideally, the nurse requires to administer enteral tube feeding through following different techniques;…………..please follow the link below to purchase solution at $10