Patient with Lewy body dementia: clinical nursing approach

Abstract

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a degenerative cognitive syndrome that is difficult to diagnose, characterized by mental deterioration of frontal predominance, parkinsonism, psychotic features and cognitive fluctuations, frequently confused with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. We present the case of a 75-year-old woman admitted to a geriatric residence, approached according to Lynda Carpenito’s bifocal practice model. After nursing assessment by Marjory Gordon’s functional health patterns, a care plan was developed with the NANDA, NOC and NIC taxonomies that addressed frailty syndrome of the elderly, the risk of aspiration, chronic confusion with hallucinations and delusional ideas, and unstable emotional control, complemented by the identification of collaborative problems and potential complications (agitation and dementia itself). The case illustrates the time-based planning of objectives and their reassessment using the scales of the NOC taxonomy.