What is the Role of Nursing in Managing Neuromuscular Diseases?
Nurses play a crucial role in the management of NMDs, providing both direct patient care and emotional support. Their responsibilities include:
- Assessment and Monitoring: Regularly assessing the patient’s respiratory function, muscle strength, and overall mobility. - Care Coordination: Working with a multidisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive care, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and respiratory therapy. - Patient Education: Educating patients and their families about the disease process, treatment options, and lifestyle modifications to manage symptoms. - Symptom Management: Administering medications to manage symptoms such as pain, muscle spasms, and respiratory issues. - Emotional Support: Providing psychological support to patients and families to help them cope with the emotional and mental challenges of living with a chronic illness.