title: Characteristics and symptom management of progressive supranuclear palsy: a multidisciplinary approach.
abstract: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a neurodegenerative disorder that may be mistaken for Parkinson's disease early in its course, is the most common type of atypical parkinsonism. PSP is fatal; it transforms a normal person into an invalid within 5-7 years of the onset of symptoms. PSP requires a multidisciplinary approach to symptom management and treatment. The neuroscience nurse who is knowledgeable about PSP and the complex way in which it overlaps with numerous other devastating neurological diagnoses can help in achieving the correct diagnosis and treatment. The nurse must understand the disease pathophysiology and the plan of care required and is instrumental in recognizing the needs of the patient and the family.
authors.affiliation: Parkinson's Disease Education Research and Clinical Center, Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA. constance.ward@med.va.gov
authors.forename: Constance
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D015984:Causality; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D005149:Facial Expression; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012944:Social Support; D013494:Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*