A pa ent with Parkinson's disease who has been posi vely responding to carbidopa-levodopa
(Sinemet) asks the nurse, "Why have I suddenly developed a relapse of my symptoms." Which
explana on by the nurse is appropriate?
A- "This is called the "on-off phenomenon." Your health care provider can change your
medica on regimen to help manage this effect."
B- "This is very common and it is temporary. Con nue to take the medicine, and you will feel
be er in a few weeks."
C- "You have developed drug tolerance to your current medica on, and a higher dose will need
to be prescribed."
D- "You have developed medica on toxicity. Thus, the drug dose will be reduced to avoid
poten ally toxic drug blood levels." -correct answers A- "This is called the "on-off
phenomenon." Your health care provider can change your medica on regimen to help manage
this effect."
When teaching a pa ent about carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet), what informa on should the
nurse include about this medica on?
A: Carbidopa crosses the blood-brain barrier to increase the metabolism of levodopa to
dopamine in the brain.
, B: Giving both drugs together minimizes adverse effects and decreases the risk of kidney or liver
disease.
C: Carbidopa increases levodopa's conversion in the periphery, enhancing the amount of
dopamine available to the brain.
D: Carbidopa decreases levodopa's conversion in the periphery, increasing the levodopa
available to cross the blood-brain barrier. -correct answers D: Carbidopa decreases levodopa's
conversion in the periphery, increasing the levodopa available to cross the blood-brain barrier.
Which an parkinson drug causes an increase in the levels of dopaminergic s mula on in the
central nervous system (CNS) and therefore allows a decreased dose of other medica ons?
A: Carbidopa- levodopa (Sinemet)
B: Selegiline (Eldepryl)
C: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
D :Tolcapone (Tasmar) -correct answers B: Selegiline (Eldepryl)
What is the goal of pharmacologic therapy in trea ng Parkinson's disease?
A: To balance cholinergic and dopaminergic ac vity in the brain
(Sinemet) asks the nurse, "Why have I suddenly developed a relapse of my symptoms." Which
explana on by the nurse is appropriate?
A- "This is called the "on-off phenomenon." Your health care provider can change your
medica on regimen to help manage this effect."
B- "This is very common and it is temporary. Con nue to take the medicine, and you will feel
be er in a few weeks."
C- "You have developed drug tolerance to your current medica on, and a higher dose will need
to be prescribed."
D- "You have developed medica on toxicity. Thus, the drug dose will be reduced to avoid
poten ally toxic drug blood levels." -correct answers A- "This is called the "on-off
phenomenon." Your health care provider can change your medica on regimen to help manage
this effect."
When teaching a pa ent about carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet), what informa on should the
nurse include about this medica on?
A: Carbidopa crosses the blood-brain barrier to increase the metabolism of levodopa to
dopamine in the brain.
, B: Giving both drugs together minimizes adverse effects and decreases the risk of kidney or liver
disease.
C: Carbidopa increases levodopa's conversion in the periphery, enhancing the amount of
dopamine available to the brain.
D: Carbidopa decreases levodopa's conversion in the periphery, increasing the levodopa
available to cross the blood-brain barrier. -correct answers D: Carbidopa decreases levodopa's
conversion in the periphery, increasing the levodopa available to cross the blood-brain barrier.
Which an parkinson drug causes an increase in the levels of dopaminergic s mula on in the
central nervous system (CNS) and therefore allows a decreased dose of other medica ons?
A: Carbidopa- levodopa (Sinemet)
B: Selegiline (Eldepryl)
C: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
D :Tolcapone (Tasmar) -correct answers B: Selegiline (Eldepryl)
What is the goal of pharmacologic therapy in trea ng Parkinson's disease?
A: To balance cholinergic and dopaminergic ac vity in the brain
