Pathophysiology and management of idiopathic Parkinson's disease

The assessment and management of the patient with idiopathic Parkinson's disease is complicated by multisystem involvement and variability in symptom presentation and severity. An imbalance in dopaminergic/ cholinergic activities, related to profound dopamine deficiency, is the basis for disease presentation and is the target of treatment measures. Although the cause of dopamine deficiency in the substantia nigra is not known, several theories of causation have been offered. Understanding the physiologic basis for pharmacological and surgical treatment allows the nurse to provide individualized, effective care to Parkinson's patients.