Parkinson disease — nursing care
Cardinal signs: resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability. Medication timing is critical: levodopa must be given on time, to the minute, because a delay produces a sudden off period with freezing and falls. Hospital medication rounds are a common cause of deterioration. Care: allow extra time, do not rush, prevent falls during freezing episodes by suggesting a visual target or a rhythmic cue, watch for dysphagia and aspiration, encourage protein spread through the day since it competes with levodopa absorption.