When formulating a nursing care plan for a client diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which nursing problem should be given the highest priority?
A.
Risk for constipation due to immobility.
B.
Risk for aspiration due to muscle weakness.
C.
Impaired physical mobility due to muscle rigidity.
D.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: B. Risk for aspiration due to muscle weakness.
When formulating a nursing care plan for a client diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the nursing problem that should be given the highest priority is the Risk for aspiration due to muscle weakness. Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement, but it also has significant effects on muscle strength and control. One of the most concerning complications associated with Parkinson’s disease is dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, which increases the risk of aspiration. Aspiration occurs when food, liquid, saliva, or vomit is breathed into the airways instead of being swallowed into the esophagus, leading to the lungs. This can result in serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia, which can be life-threatening.
Aspiration risk takes priority over other nursing problems because it directly impacts the client’s airway and breathing, which are critical aspects of the client’s survival. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, physiological needs, such as breathing, are at the base of the hierarchy and must be addressed before other needs. If a client is at risk for aspiration, ensuring a patent airway and preventing respiratory complications is the highest priority.
While other issues such as constipation, impaired physical mobility, and muscle rigidity are important in the overall management of Parkinson’s disease, they are not immediately life-threatening and can be addressed once the client’s airway and respiratory status are stabilized. For example, constipation is a common problem in Parkinson’s disease due to decreased mobility and slowed gastrointestinal motility, but it does not pose the same immediate threat to life as aspiration does.
In clinical practice, managing the risk of aspiration in Parkinson’s patients involves interventions such as positioning the client upright during and after meals, offering food of appropriate consistency, monitoring for signs of swallowing difficulty, and collaborating with speech and language therapists for swallowing assessments and techniques. Prioritizing these interventions can significantly reduce the risk of aspiration and its complications, ensuring the client’s safety and well-being.