Page 2030 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

to avoid prolonged sitting.
12. Provide a firm mattress and position the client prone,
without a pillow, to facilitate proper posture.
13. Instruct in proper posture by teaching the client to
hold the hands behind the back to keep the spine and
neck erect.
14. Promote physical therapy and rehabilitation.
15. Administer antiparkinsonian medications to increase
the level of dopamine in the CNS.
16. Instruct the client to avoid foods high in vitamin B ,
6
because they block the effects of antiparkinsonian
medications.
17. Avoid the use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors,
because they will precipitate hypertensive crisis.
18. See Chapter 59 regarding medication to treat
Parkinson’s disease.
XIV. Trigeminal Neuralgia
A. Description
1. A sensory disorder of the trigeminal (fifth cranial)
nerve
2. It results in severe, recurrent, sharp facial pain along
the trigeminal nerve.

B. Assessment

1. The client has severe pain on the lips, gums, or nose,
or across the cheeks.
2. Situations that stimulate symptoms include cold,
washing the face, chewing, or food or fluids of
extreme temperatures.

C. Interventions

1. Instruct the client to avoid hot or cold foods and
fluids.
2. Provide small feedings of liquid and soft foods.
3. Instruct the client to chew food on the unaffected side.
4. Administer medications as prescribed (see Chapter
59).
D. Surgical interventions
1. Microvascular decompression: Surgical relocation of
the artery that compresses the trigeminal nerve as it
enters the pons, which may relieve pain without
compromising facial sensation
2. Radiofrequency waveforms: Create lesions that
provide relief of pain without compromising touch or
motor function
3. Rhizotomy: Resection of the root of the nerve to
relieve pain

2030