Nursing care plan for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Introduction to Nursing Care Plan for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, progressive neurological disease that affects a person’s ability to move and control their muscles. It is sometimes referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”, named after the American baseball player who was diagnosed with ALS in 1939. ALS can be devastating, causing severe disability and eventually death. A nursing care plan is important for providing care to people with ALS.

Assessment

Functional Assessment: A functional assessment of the patient should include an evaluation of physical functioning, learning abilities, medical stability, communication abilities, social functioning and emotional stability. This assessment can provide valuable information about the patient’s level of independence and what limitations they may have.

Psychosocial Assessment: A psychosocial assessment can provide insight into how the patient feels about their diagnosis and how they are coping with their situation. This can include an assessment of the patient’s support system, ability to cope with stress, manage finances, and make decisions.

Nursing Diagnosis

Impaired Physical Mobility: Many patients with ALS will experience a progressive deterioration in physical mobility as the disease progresses. Patients may need assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, transferring, and eating.

Ineffective Breathing Pattern: Patients with ALS may be at risk for respiratory complications due to muscle weakness. They may require mechanical ventilation or other interventions to assist with breathing.

Outcomes

Patient will maintain adequate nutrition: The patient will be able to obtain adequate nutrition through diet and/or enteral/parenteral nutrition.

Patient will maintain adequate hydration: The patient will be able to obtain adequate hydration through diet and/or intravenous fluids.

Interventions

Provide Assistance with Activities of Daily Living: The patient’s environment should be modified to maximize their independence and safety. Assistive devices may also be utilized to help the patient with activities of daily living.

Provide Nutritional Support: The patient’s nutritional needs should be evaluated and appropriate interventions implemented to ensure adequate nutrition.

Rationales

Assistance with Activities of Daily Living: Providing assistance with activities of daily living can help the patient remain as independent as possible and ensure their safety.

Nutritional Support: Adequate nutrition is essential for maintaining strength and functioning and can prevent complications associated with malnutrition.

Evaluation

At the end of the nursing care plan, evaluate the patient’s progress towards meeting the desired outcomes. Assess the patient’s level of independence and mobility and their ability to obtain adequate nutrition and hydration.

Conclusion

ALS can be a debilitating and life-limiting condition, but a comprehensive nursing care plan is vital for providing the best possible care to those affected by the disease. This care plan should involve an assessment of the patient’s physical and psychosocial functioning, the establishment of realistic goals and outcomes, and the provision of appropriate interventions.

FAQs

• What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?
  Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, progressive motor neuron disease that affects a person's ability to move and control their muscles.
• How can a nursing care plan help patients with ALS?
  A nursing care plan is important for providing care to people with ALS. It should involve an assessment of the patient’s physical and psychosocial functioning, the establishment of realistic goals and outcomes, and the provision of appropriate interventions.
• What interventions can help with managing ALS?
  Interventions that can help manage ALS include providing assistance with activities of daily living and providing nutritional support.
• What types of assessments are typically involved in a nursing care plan for ALS?
  A nursing care plan for ALS should include a functional assessment that evaluates physical functioning, learning abilities, medical stability, communication abilities, social functioning and emotional stability, as well as a psychosocial assessment.
• What should be included in an evaluation of the nursing care plan?
  At the end of the nursing care plan, the patient’s progress towards meeting the desired outcomes should be evaluated. Assessments should be made of the patient’s level of independence and mobility, and their ability to obtain adequate nutrition and hydration.