Deck 23: Drugs for Alzheimers and Parkinsons Disease

Question 1

Which symptom is often the earliest to occur in a patient with Alzheimer's disease?

A) Difficulty solving simple math problems
B) Problems performing simple tasks
C) Mild forgetfulness
D) Inability to read

Answer 1

Mild forgetfulness

Question 2

Why is bromocriptine (Parlodel)not recommended for women who are breastfeeding?

A) It stops the production of milk.
B) It enters the milk and slows infant growth.
C) It enters the milk and causes symptoms of Parkinson's disease in the infant.
D) It is a pregnancy category C drug and has been found to cause birth defects in animals.

Answer 2

It stops the production of milk.

Question 3

A patient is prescribed entacapone (Comtan)800 mg per day.The drug is available in 200-mg tablets.How many tablets does the nurse give?

A) 2
B) 4
C) 6
D) 8

Answer 3

4

Question 4

For which patient does the nurse watch most closely for symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?

A) 45-year-old with Down syndrome
B) 50-year-old with a whiplash injury
C) 60-year-old with hypertension
D) 75-year-old with a smoking history

Question 5

A patient with Parkinson's disease informs the nurse that the stiffness and slowness of movements associated with the illness have become worse.What does the nurse teach the patient about this change?

A) "These changes are normal and expected as your disease progresses."
B) "You will need to use a walker at all times to avoid falls and accidents."
C) "Whenever your symptoms worsen, contact your prescriber right away."
D) "If your prescriber increases your drug dosage these functions will improve."

Question 6

Which blood laboratory test result is most important for the nurse to check before administering the first prescribed dose of carbadopa-levodopa (Sinemet)to a patient?

A) International normalized ratio (INR)
B) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level
C) White blood cell (WBC) count
D) Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)

Question 7

Which strategy best supports safe medication administration for patients with Alzheimer's disease?

A) Include the patient's care provider when teaching about the patient's drugs.
B) Provide written guidelines about each drug to the patient.
C) Create a chart listing the drugs, dosages, and times they should be taken.
D) Suggest that the patient set up the drugs each week in labeled boxes.

Question 8

Which is the common underlying pathophysiology of both Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease?

A) Both are neurodegenerative diseases.
B) Both are forms of dementia.
C) Both involve interrupted transmission of nerve impulses.
D) Both are primarily caused and directly related to environmental factors.

Question 9

What is the most important precaution for the nurse to teach a patient who is prescribed transdermal rivastigmine (Exelon)?

A) Always remove old patches daily and apply the new patch to a different site.
B) Report any difficulty starting the urinary stream to your prescriber immediately.
C) Place the patch on the neck or forehead so that the drug reaches the brain more quickly.
D) For best drug absorption, hold a warm wet washcloth over the patch for 5 minutes after applying it.

Question 10

For which adverse effect does the nurse monitor in a patient with Parkinson's disease after administering ropinirole (Requip)?

A) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B) Depression with suicidal tendencies
C) Central nervous system depression
D) Narcolepsy or sleep attacks

Question 11

For which patient must the drug donepezil (Aricept)for Alzheimer's disease be avoided?

A) 54-year-old woman with early onset Alzheimer's disease
B) 67-year-old man who also takes drugs for type 2 diabetes
C) 72-year-old woman who is 20 lb underweight
D) 72-year old man who is unable to sit or stand

Question 12

Which statement is true about how drugs for Parkinson's disease work?

A) Dopaminergic drugs decrease the amount of dopamine activity in the brain.
B) COMT inhibitors allow a larger amount of levodopa to reach the brain, which lowers the brain's dopamine levels.
C) MAO-B inhibitors facilitate the enzyme monoamine oxidase B that breaks down dopamine in the brain.
D) Anticholinergic drugs block cholinergic nerve impulses to minimize tremors and rigidity.

Question 13

A patient who has been prescribed carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet)informs the nurse that a dark spot on his arm is getting larger.What is the nurse's best action?

A) Measure the size of the spot and document the finding.
B) Inform the patient that this is an expected side effect of the drug.
C) Administer the drug as ordered by the prescriber.
D) Hold the drug and contact the prescriber about this change.

Question 14

Which information must be included when documenting a patient's seizure?

A) Time of seizure onset
B) Total duration of the seizure
C) Patient's ability to swallow during seizure
D) Incontinence during seizure
E) Patient orientation after seizure

Question 15

What safety precaution must the nurse teach a patient with Parkinson's disease who is prescribed benztropine (Cogentin)?

A) Always dress warmly and avoid extended exposure to cold weather.
B) Stay indoors in an air-conditioned setting during hot weather.
C) Change positions slowly to avoid dizziness or light-headedness.
D) Avoid alcohol intake because drowsiness is associated with this drug.

Question 16

A patient with Alzheimer's disease is prescribed rivastigmine (Exelon).What action does the nurse take to prevent a common side effect?

A) Give the drug with a full glass of water.
B) Administer the drug with meals twice a day.
C) Assess the patient's level of consciousness.
D) Keep an accurate record of all patient food intake.

Question 17

A patient with Parkinson's disease who has been prescribed entacapone (Comtan)tells the nurse about muscle aches,weakness,and having dark cola-colored urine.What is the nurse's best action?

A) Send a urine specimen to the laboratory for urinalysis.
B) Help the patient back to bed and instruct him or her to rest.
C) Tell the patient that these are expected side effects of the drug.
D) Hold the drug and notify the prescriber immediately.

Question 18

Which statement made by a patient with Alzheimer's disease indicates to the nurse the need for additional teaching?

A) "When I have been taking donepezil for 6 weeks I should regain my memories."
B) "The only way to be sure that I have Alzheimer's disease is by autopsy after I die."
C) "Even with medication, eventually I will need total care to prevent complications."
D) "The rivastigmine I am taking will slow down the progression of my symptoms."

Question 19

A patient taking entacapone (Comtan)for Parkinson's disease informs the nurse that his urine is now brownish-orange in color.What is the nurse's best action?

A) Explain that this is an expected side effect and is not harmful.
B) Collect a urine sample and send it to the laboratory for urinalysis.
C) Hold the drug and immediately notify the prescriber.
D) Instruct the patient to increase his intake of fluids.

Question 20

A newly admitted patient with Alzheimer's disease who has been prescribed memantine (Namenda)has developed the symptoms of vomiting,drooling,heart rate of 56 beats per minute,and muscle weakness.What is the nurse's best action?

A) Contact the prescriber and ask for an order for an as-needed antiemetic drug.
B) Place the patient on a heart monitor and check the heart rate every 2 hours.
C) Hold the drug dose and contact the prescriber immediately.
D) Give the drug exactly as ordered.

Question 21

A patient has been prescribed rasagiline (Azilect).Which foods must the nurse teach the patient to avoid?

A) Green leafy vegetables
B) Aged cheeses
C) Sour cream
D) Fresh apples and pears
E) Soy sauce

Question 22

Which are major symptoms of Parkinson's disease?

A) Bradycardia
B) Rigidity
C) Abnormal gait
D) Tremor at rest
E) Lack of facial expression

Question 23

What are the goals of treatment for Parkinson's disease?

A) Help the patient to maintain a high quality of life.
B) Reduce side effects of drug therapy.
C) Regain as much function as possible.
D) Minimize the patient's disability.
E) Prolong the patient's life span.