Parkinson’s Disease

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Parkinson’s Disease Case Study

 

Ruth Olson, a 74 year old female was recently diagnosed with a tremor.  She tells you that is started at rest.  You need to complete a full history and physical but know that a resting tremor may be caused by Parkinson’s disease.  Although not confirmed, respond to the following answers for a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

Questions:

  1. What are non-pharmacologic treatment strategies for the management of Parkinson’s disease?
  2. What pharmacologic treatment is used first line for a patient with Parkinson’s disease (be sure to include, at a minimum, drug name, dose, route, frequency)? What other treatment options exist? Why did you choose your treatment option over other available options (if applicable)?
  3. What is the mechanism of action of EACH pharmacologic agent in #2? How does the mechanism of action of EACH medication correlate with the physiology/pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease?
  4. What are the most common adverse effects of EACH selected medication in #2?
  5. What is the cost of EACH selected treatment option in #2?
  6. Discuss pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of EACH selected pharmacologic agent from #2 (be sure to include, at a minimum, onset, peak, duration, half-life, etc).
  7. What education would you provide Ruth for the first line treatment discussed in #2?