A nurse is caring for an older adult client on the medical-surgical unit. For each client finding, click to specify if the finding is consistent with Parkinson's disease, stroke, or multiple sclerosis. Each finding can support more than 1 disease process.

1. Facial Rigidity Parkinson’s Disease: Classic "masked facies" due to rigidity of facial muscles. Stroke: Can cause facial weakness or rigidity depending on the area affected. MS: Less common; MS usually affects motor coordination rather than producing rigid facial expression. 2. Speech Parkinson’s Disease: Slow, monotone, slurred speech (hypophonia). Stroke: Aphasia or dysarthria depending on lesion location. MS: Dysarthria can occur due to cerebellar involvement. 3. Muscle Movements Parkinson’s Disease: Resting tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia. Stroke: Muscle weakness, spasticity, or paralysis on one side. MS: Muscle weakness, spasticity, tremors due to demyelination. 4. Orientation Status Parkinson’s Disease: Cognitive decline and dementia may develop in later stages. Stroke: Acute confusion or chronic cognitive impairment depending on severity and location. MS: Cognitive dysfunction can occur, though less pronounced than Parkinson’s or stroke. 5. Ambulation Pattern Parkinson’s Disease: Shuffling gait, stooped posture, festination (short, rapid steps). Stroke: Hemiparetic gait, dragging one side, imbalance. MS: Ataxic gait, spastic gait, difficulty with coordination.