The nurse is caring for a patient with Parkinson's disease, who has been identified as a high risk for falls. Which of the following symptoms would the nurse associate with Parkinson's and a risk for falls?

Explanation

•Rigidity, bradykinesia, and small, shuffling steps are all symptoms seen with Parkinson's disease and can put a patient at risk for falls.

•Rigidity is the stiffness of muscles and requires much effort to move.  Bradykinesia is slow movement.  Gait is slowed with decreased arm swing on the affected side. This causes difficulty performing ADLs, rising from chair, and walking. Many Parkinson's patients walk in a stooped-over position with small, shuffling steps and often a broad base on turns

•Dysarthria is the difficulty of saying words because the muscles that help you talk have been weakened. This is commonly seen in patients who suffered strokes and have ALS.

•Uhtoff's phenomenon is when motor function can worsen spontaneously after strenuous exercise, fever, or hot shower/bath.  This is common in patients with multiple sclerosis.

•Ascending weakness is seen in Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

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