NURSING CARE FOR A PERSON WITH AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS: AN EXPERIENCE REPORT (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of complex and multifactorial etiology. The median survival of patients is 3-5 years after diagnosis, and death is usually caused by respiratory muscle failure. In this context, the attention provided by a multidisciplinary team is necessary, in which the nurse actively participates in decisions and nursing care. This is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, of the experience report type on nursing care for people with Alzheimer's, hospitalized in a Medical Clinic Unit of a Federal University Hospital located in the city of João Pessoa, state of Paraíba. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is an irreversible and, so far, incurable disease, leading those affected to become dependent. In the multidisciplinary team, the nurse identifies the health/disease situations and plans care actions based on the Nursing Process. The main nursing diagnoses were: Impaired swallowing; Impaired bed mobility; Impaired spontaneous ventilation; Deficit in self-care; Risk of impaired skin integrity; Risk of infection; Pain; Impaired verbal communication; Hopelessness / Sadness / Depression. Excellent nursing care becomes extremely important as it promotes the necessary comfort, prevents complications, improves quality of life, helps in the patient's adaptation process in the various stages of pathology advancement and in the support to family members throughout the course of the disease.