Nursing implications of Tourette's syndrome.

Columbia Union College, Takoma Park, Maryland.

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder of gradual childhood onset which usually persists for life. Manifestations include motor, vocal and sensory tics. Behavioral manifestations such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention-deficit disorder and learning disabilities may also occur. Nurses can play a major role in assisting patients and their families, through education and fostering effective coping mechanisms, to adjust to Tourette's syndrome. Through a case study and review of the literature, this article presents the etiology, manifestations, management and nursing implications of Tourette's syndrome.

PMID: 1678769 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]