NURS 329 Final Exam Practice Qs With
Complete Solutions
A patient has taken levodopa [Dopar] for Parkinson's disease for 2 weeks but reports no
improvement in the symptoms. Which response by the nurse is correct?
a. "Another agent will be needed to manage your symptoms."
b. "Double the dose to see whether an effect occurs."
c. "It may take several months for a response to occur."
d. "The prescriber may need to change your drug regimen." - ANSWER c. "It may take
several months for a response to occur."
A nurse provides teaching for a patient who is newly diagnosed with Parkinson's
disease. Which statement by the patient indicates an understanding of the disease?
a) "A levodopa/carbidopa combination is used to improve motor function."
b) "There are several drugs available to treat dyskinesias."
c) "When off times occur, I may need to increase my dose of levodopa."
d) "With adequate drug therapy, the disease progression may be slowed." - ANSWER a)
"A levodopa/carbidopa combination is used to improve motor function."
Amantadine is the only drug recommended to treat dyskinesias
Drug therapy dose not slow the progression of disease
A patient has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and begins treatment with
levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet). After months of therapy, the patient reports no change in
symptoms. The nurse will expect the provider to:
, a) Add a dopamine agonist
b) Discuss the "on-off" phenomenon
c) Increase the dose of Sinemet
d) Re-evaluate the diagnosis - ANSWER d) Re-evaluate the diagnosis
Patients should expect therapeutic effects to occur several months after treatment.
Levodopa is so effective that a diagnosis of Parkinson's should be questioned if the
patient fails to respond in this time frame.
A patient newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease has been taking
levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet) for several weeks and complains of nausea and vomiting.
The nurse tells the patient to discuss what with the provider?
a) Taking a lower dose on an empty stomach
b) Taking an increased dose along with a high-protein snack
c) Taking a lower dose with a low-protein snack
d) Taking dopamine in addition to levodopa/carbidopa - ANSWER c) Taking a lower dose
with a low-protein snack
The patient may need to take a lower dose temporarily until tolerance develops. A meal
helps slow absorption & minimize N/V, but a high protein intake contributes to abrupt
loss of effect.
A nurse is discussing motor symptoms with a patient with Parkinson's disease who has
been taking levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet) and who is now having regular tics. Which
statement by the patient indicates an understanding of this symptom?
a) "I may need to try a lower dose of Sinemet to reduce my tics."
b) "My provider may order clozapine to treat these tics."
c) "These tics are an indication that my Sinemet dose is too low."
d) "This means I will have to have surgery to stop the symptoms." - ANSWER a) "I may
Complete Solutions
A patient has taken levodopa [Dopar] for Parkinson's disease for 2 weeks but reports no
improvement in the symptoms. Which response by the nurse is correct?
a. "Another agent will be needed to manage your symptoms."
b. "Double the dose to see whether an effect occurs."
c. "It may take several months for a response to occur."
d. "The prescriber may need to change your drug regimen." - ANSWER c. "It may take
several months for a response to occur."
A nurse provides teaching for a patient who is newly diagnosed with Parkinson's
disease. Which statement by the patient indicates an understanding of the disease?
a) "A levodopa/carbidopa combination is used to improve motor function."
b) "There are several drugs available to treat dyskinesias."
c) "When off times occur, I may need to increase my dose of levodopa."
d) "With adequate drug therapy, the disease progression may be slowed." - ANSWER a)
"A levodopa/carbidopa combination is used to improve motor function."
Amantadine is the only drug recommended to treat dyskinesias
Drug therapy dose not slow the progression of disease
A patient has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and begins treatment with
levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet). After months of therapy, the patient reports no change in
symptoms. The nurse will expect the provider to:
, a) Add a dopamine agonist
b) Discuss the "on-off" phenomenon
c) Increase the dose of Sinemet
d) Re-evaluate the diagnosis - ANSWER d) Re-evaluate the diagnosis
Patients should expect therapeutic effects to occur several months after treatment.
Levodopa is so effective that a diagnosis of Parkinson's should be questioned if the
patient fails to respond in this time frame.
A patient newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease has been taking
levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet) for several weeks and complains of nausea and vomiting.
The nurse tells the patient to discuss what with the provider?
a) Taking a lower dose on an empty stomach
b) Taking an increased dose along with a high-protein snack
c) Taking a lower dose with a low-protein snack
d) Taking dopamine in addition to levodopa/carbidopa - ANSWER c) Taking a lower dose
with a low-protein snack
The patient may need to take a lower dose temporarily until tolerance develops. A meal
helps slow absorption & minimize N/V, but a high protein intake contributes to abrupt
loss of effect.
A nurse is discussing motor symptoms with a patient with Parkinson's disease who has
been taking levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet) and who is now having regular tics. Which
statement by the patient indicates an understanding of this symptom?
a) "I may need to try a lower dose of Sinemet to reduce my tics."
b) "My provider may order clozapine to treat these tics."
c) "These tics are an indication that my Sinemet dose is too low."
d) "This means I will have to have surgery to stop the symptoms." - ANSWER a) "I may
