N256 NEUROPROTECTION 2/3 EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A++
The three major features of Parkinson's include:
rigidity, bradykinesia, and tremors.
A 60-year-old client has developed a tremor of the right hand with a pill-rolling
motion. Upon interviewing, the client states having sustained several head
injuries. This information supports which possible diagnosis?
Parkinson's disease
Common side effects of anticholinergics include:
dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, and increased pulse rate.
(Anticholinergic drugs may cause blurred vision, dry mouth, tachycardia, and urinary
retention. They also decrease sweating and may cause fever or heatstroke.)
A client is receiving levodopa as treatment for Parkinson disease. The nurse
would instruct the client to avoid foods high in which vitamin to prevent a
reduction in the effect of levodopa?
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
A nurse is caring for a patient who has received carbidopa/levodopa. After
administration of the first dose of the drug, the patient has developed
gastrointestinal disturbances. Which nursing intervention should the nurse
perform when caring for this patient?
Administer the next drug dose with meals.
,A client who diagnosed with Parkinson's disease is being treated with
levodopa/carbidopa. Which disorder will result in the discontinuation of this drug
based on a disease-related contraindication?
narrow-angle glaucoma
(Since levodopa can dilate pupils and raise intraocular pressure, it is contraindicated in
narrow-angle glaucoma)
The home care nurse is caring for an 80-year-old patient who is receiving
carbidopa-levodopa, a dopaminergic drug used to treat Parkinson's disease. The
nurse knows that this drug may place the patient at increased risk for:
falls.
(Adverse effects of dopaminergic drugs such as carbidopa-levodopa include orthostatic
hypotension. The dizziness and potential for fainting associated with this effect can
increase the risk of falls.)
Levodopa is used as treatment for Parkinson's disease primarily acting as a
replacement neurotransmitter.
True
A nursing instructor is describing Parkinsonism to a group of nursing students.
When discussing the underlying cause of the symptoms, the instructor explains
the depletion of dopamine in which of the following?
Central nervous system
A nurse is educating a client who has Parkinson's disease and family regarding
possible adverse effects of carbidopa-levodopa. The nurse emphasizes which
should be a closely monitored effect?
, involuntary movements.
A 52-year-old male client is being treated for Parkinson's disease. The nurse is
aware that Parkinson's disease results in several physical manifestations. What
occurs in the neurons that causes these symptoms?
There is an imbalance between dopamine and acetylcholine.
A nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
The client does not understand how the medication, carbidopa-levodopa, is going
to help the condition. What is the correct response by the nurse?
"Carbidopa-levodopa increases the activity of dopamine in your body, which will
decrease your symptoms."
(The pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease is the lack of dopamine and the excess of
acetylcholine, which cause the symptoms of muscle rigidity, tremors at rest, akinesia or
bradykinesia, and postural instability. Carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet) increases the
activity of dopamine and decreases the excessive amount of acetylcholine, which
causes improved nerve impulse control and decreases the symptoms exhibited.)
Dopaminergic agents can exacerbate cardiovascular disease due to dopamine
receptor stimulation.
True
A nurse has been invited to speak to a support group for Parkinson's disease
clients and families. Which statement addresses the chronic nature of the disease
and the relevant drug therapies?
"Drugs do not cure these disorders; they instead enhance quality of life."
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A++
The three major features of Parkinson's include:
rigidity, bradykinesia, and tremors.
A 60-year-old client has developed a tremor of the right hand with a pill-rolling
motion. Upon interviewing, the client states having sustained several head
injuries. This information supports which possible diagnosis?
Parkinson's disease
Common side effects of anticholinergics include:
dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, and increased pulse rate.
(Anticholinergic drugs may cause blurred vision, dry mouth, tachycardia, and urinary
retention. They also decrease sweating and may cause fever or heatstroke.)
A client is receiving levodopa as treatment for Parkinson disease. The nurse
would instruct the client to avoid foods high in which vitamin to prevent a
reduction in the effect of levodopa?
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
A nurse is caring for a patient who has received carbidopa/levodopa. After
administration of the first dose of the drug, the patient has developed
gastrointestinal disturbances. Which nursing intervention should the nurse
perform when caring for this patient?
Administer the next drug dose with meals.
,A client who diagnosed with Parkinson's disease is being treated with
levodopa/carbidopa. Which disorder will result in the discontinuation of this drug
based on a disease-related contraindication?
narrow-angle glaucoma
(Since levodopa can dilate pupils and raise intraocular pressure, it is contraindicated in
narrow-angle glaucoma)
The home care nurse is caring for an 80-year-old patient who is receiving
carbidopa-levodopa, a dopaminergic drug used to treat Parkinson's disease. The
nurse knows that this drug may place the patient at increased risk for:
falls.
(Adverse effects of dopaminergic drugs such as carbidopa-levodopa include orthostatic
hypotension. The dizziness and potential for fainting associated with this effect can
increase the risk of falls.)
Levodopa is used as treatment for Parkinson's disease primarily acting as a
replacement neurotransmitter.
True
A nursing instructor is describing Parkinsonism to a group of nursing students.
When discussing the underlying cause of the symptoms, the instructor explains
the depletion of dopamine in which of the following?
Central nervous system
A nurse is educating a client who has Parkinson's disease and family regarding
possible adverse effects of carbidopa-levodopa. The nurse emphasizes which
should be a closely monitored effect?
, involuntary movements.
A 52-year-old male client is being treated for Parkinson's disease. The nurse is
aware that Parkinson's disease results in several physical manifestations. What
occurs in the neurons that causes these symptoms?
There is an imbalance between dopamine and acetylcholine.
A nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
The client does not understand how the medication, carbidopa-levodopa, is going
to help the condition. What is the correct response by the nurse?
"Carbidopa-levodopa increases the activity of dopamine in your body, which will
decrease your symptoms."
(The pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease is the lack of dopamine and the excess of
acetylcholine, which cause the symptoms of muscle rigidity, tremors at rest, akinesia or
bradykinesia, and postural instability. Carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet) increases the
activity of dopamine and decreases the excessive amount of acetylcholine, which
causes improved nerve impulse control and decreases the symptoms exhibited.)
Dopaminergic agents can exacerbate cardiovascular disease due to dopamine
receptor stimulation.
True
A nurse has been invited to speak to a support group for Parkinson's disease
clients and families. Which statement addresses the chronic nature of the disease
and the relevant drug therapies?
"Drugs do not cure these disorders; they instead enhance quality of life."
