Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena
| Thesis Title | The home nursing care to a patient with ALS. Description of a clinical case |
|---|---|
| Name | Stefani Benedetta |
| Supervisor(s) | Mussi Chiara |
| Academic Year | 2015/16 |
| Thesis type | Non research thesis |
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as "motor neuron disease", is a degenerative disorder that affects both pyramidal and spinal motor neurons of the brain stem (upper and lower motor neurons). The disease is known to have a more frequent onset in advanced-aged patients.
“Amyotrophic” refers to the muscle atrophy that signify disease of the lower motor neurons. “Lateral sclerosis” refers to the hardness to palpation of the anterior and lateral columns of the spinal cord in autopsy specimens, where gliosis follows degeneration of the motor neuronal axons.
My decision to discuss this subject comes from an internship experience I had in the nursing home care sector in Sassuolo. That experience gave me the chance to take care of my first patient who suffered from ALS, so that I could understand how difficult it is to assist in such a disabling disease. The nursing care plans that follows the taxonomy NANDA I, NOC and NIC are perfectly in line with the evidence found in the literature. In particular, it was possible to formulate some nursing diagnosis that aim to identify specific interventions to reach health goals for patients.