Question 1

The patient has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. What is the best medication education the nurse gives to the patient's husband?

Accepted Answer

The medication for Alzheimer's disease, such as cholinesterase inhibitors, may help manage symptoms temporarily but does not cure the disease or stop its progression.

Question 2

The nurse plans care for a patient with Parkinson's disease. What will the best plan by the nurse include?

Accepted Answer

Patients with Parkinson's disease often have difficulty with chewing and swallowing due to muscle rigidity and tremors, so monitoring these abilities is crucial to prevent aspiration and ensure adequate nutrition.

Question 3

Which statement best explains why structural changes occur within the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Chronic inflammation and oxidative cellular damage are key factors in the development of Alzheimer's disease, leading to structural changes in the brain.

Question 4

Heat sensitivity, spascity, and visual impairment are symptoms most likely associated with which disorder?

Accepted Answer

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disorder that affects the central nervous system and can lead to symptoms such as heat sensitivity, spasticity, and visual impairment due to the damage to the myelin sheath covering nerve fibers.

Question 5

The nurse plans to teach a class about Alzheimer's disease to a caregiver's support group. What will the best plan by the nurse include?

Accepted Answer

Depression and aggressive behavior are common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Chronic inflammation of the brain is considered a potential cause of Alzheimer's. Memory difficulties are typically one of the early symptoms of the disease.

Question 6

The patient receives levodopa and carbidopa (Sinemet). What will the best teaching by the nurse include as relates to this medication?

Accepted Answer

Levodopa is best absorbed on an empty stomach, as food, especially protein, can interfere with its absorption.

Question 7

The patient receives levodopa-carbidopa (Sinemet). The nurse has completed medication education and determines that learning has occurred when the patient makes which statement?

Accepted Answer

Increasing fiber in the diet can help manage constipation, a common side effect of levodopa-carbidopa therapy.

Question 8

Which degenerative disease of the central nervous system is the most common?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease is the most common degenerative disease of the central nervous system, primarily affecting older adults and leading to dementia.

Question 9

The patient has multiple sclerosis and develops depression. What is the best education the nurse can give the patient's family?

Accepted Answer

Depression is common in patients with chronic debilitating diseases like multiple sclerosis, and it requires close monitoring and appropriate management.

Question 10

The patient receives trihexyphenidyl (Artane) for Parkinson's disease. Which assessment data will the nurse report to the physician?

Accepted Answer

Urinary retention is a significant side effect of trihexyphenidyl, an anticholinergic medication, and should be reported to the physician as it may require medical intervention.

Question 11

Which drug would most likely be an initial treatment for a patient with Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept) is a cholinesterase inhibitor commonly used as an initial treatment for Alzheimer's disease to help improve cognitive function.

Question 12

The nurse prepares to administer benztropine (Cogentin) to the patient. The nurse holds the dose and notifies the physician based on which assessment finding?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse prepares to administer benztropine (Cogentin)...

Question 13

The patient receives donepezil (Aricept) as treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Which laboratory test(s) will the nurse primarily assess?

Accepted Answer

Donepezil is metabolized in the liver, so liver function tests are important to monitor for potential hepatotoxicity.

Question 14

The patient receives aspirin, a multivitamin, and an antihistamine every day. What is the best instruction by the nurse prior to administering levodopa, carbidopa, and entacapone (Stalevo)?

Accepted Answer

Certain multivitamins contain iron, which can interfere with the absorption of levodopa, carbidopa, and entacapone, reducing their effectiveness.

Question 15

An older adult receives levodopa, carbidopa, and entacapone (Stalevo). The nurse is primarily concerned about which problem with this patient?

Accepted Answer

Muscle twitching can be a sign of levodopa toxicity, which is a serious concern for patients taking Stalevo.

Question 16

From a pharmacology standpoint, which statement best explains why levodopa is superior to dopamine?

Accepted Answer

Levodopa is superior to dopamine because it can cross the blood-brain barrier, whereas dopamine cannot. This allows levodopa to be converted into dopamine in the brain, which is essential for its therapeutic effects in conditions like Parkinson's disease.

Question 17

Several senior citizens have asked the nurse to do a presentation on degenerative diseases. What does the nurse plan to teach as the most common degenerative diseases?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are among the most common degenerative diseases affecting senior citizens. Alzheimer's disease is a leading cause of dementia, while Parkinson's disease primarily affects movement.

Question 18

The nurse is teaching a class for caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The nurse determines that learning has occurred when the caregivers make which statement?

Accepted Answer

Some healthcare providers believe that vitamin E and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications may help control Alzheimer's symptoms, indicating that caregivers have understood the potential treatments discussed.

Question 19

Pharmacotherapy for Parkinson's disease is intended to

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease is characterized by low levels of dopamine and relatively high levels of acetylcholine. Pharmacotherapy aims to increase dopamine levels and reduce acetylcholine activity to restore balance and improve symptoms.

Question 20

The patient is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The patient's wife asks the nurse how taking medicine will help her husband. What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Medications for Parkinson's disease primarily aim to manage symptoms such as tremors and rigidity, thereby helping the patient with daily activities like eating and walking.

Quiz 20: Drugs for Degenerative Diseases of the Nervous System