• What Parkinson’s disease is and how it is different from other common neurological disorders
• Key motor, non-motor and neuropsychiatric symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
• Medications used to manage the motor symptoms and the importance of proper dosing and timing
• Other treatment options, including surgical and non-pharmacologic approaches to address motor symptoms, and other strategies to address non-motor and neuropsychiatric manifestations
• Key principles of medication administration and care when the person with PD is hospitalized
• A better understanding of the “lived experience” of a person with PD

Week 1: Overview

• Describe the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease, noting the 3 types and related causative factors
• State 3 risk factors and 2 factors that may reduce risk
• Describe the 5 stages of PD and the typical timeline for development of major symptoms
• Discuss the typical presentation of PD and how diagnosis is made

Week 2: Symptoms

• Define “prodomal” symptom and state 2 of these early warning signs of PD
• State and define 3 motor symptoms of PD as outlined in the TRAP acronym
• State and define 3 non-motor symptoms of PD
• State and define 2 neuropsychiatric symptoms of PD, as well as cognitive symptoms that can occur over time

Week 3: Non-pharmacologic Interventions

• Discuss ole of pharmacologic interventions, including the classes of medications used to address the 3 categories of symptoms in PD
• State action, side effects and dosing, diet and timing considerations associated with carbidopa/levodopa
• Note a dopamine agonist used in treatment of motor symptoms of PD, its action and side effects
• List 2 medications that are contraindicated in PD and why

Week 4:

• Discuss the importance of non-pharmacologic interventions, such as exercise and role of physical therapy , in PD management
• Describe surgical interventions for motor symptom management, such as lesioning and deep brain stimulation
• Discuss psychosocial considerations, including the role of palliative and hospice are as they relate to the various stages of PD

Week 5: The Hospitalized Patient with Parkinson’s Disease

• Discuss rationale for special care considerations when the person with PD is hospitalized
• State 2 common clinical care issues that can occur and why such complications are common
• State 2 carbidopa-levodopa related care considerations and 2 medications that are avoided in the hospital setting
• List 2 nursing interventions for patients with PD and their families to optimize outcomes while in hospital