Question 1

The patient has Parkinson's disease,and develops depression.What is the best education the nurse can give the patient's family?

Accepted Answer

The best education the nurse can give the patient's family is that depression is a common problem with Parkinson's disease. This helps normalize the situation for the patient and their family and can relieve some of the stress associated with the diagnosis.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

D

Question 3

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? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are two of the most common degenerative diseases. While amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington's chorea are also degenerative diseases, they are less common than Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Question 4

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? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

Accepted Answer

Depression and aggressive behavior are common symptoms of Alzheimer's. Chronic inflammation is a suspected cause. Memory difficulties are an early symptom.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept) is a medication used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease as it helps to improve memory and cognitive function in patients with this condition. It is one of the first-line treatments for Alzheimer's disease. Levodopa (Larodopa) is a medication used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, and Haloperidol (Haldol) and Benztropine mesylate (Cogentin) are not recommended for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease as they can have negative side effects on the patients.

Question 6

From a pharmacology standpoint,which of the following best explains why levodopa is superior to dopamine?

Accepted Answer

Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain and it can cross the blood-brain barrier unlike dopamine, which cannot cross it. This makes levodopa better at increasing dopamine levels in the brain and improving symptoms of conditions like Parkinson's disease.

Question 7

Pharmacotherapy for Parkinson's disease is intended to

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease is caused by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain, leading to a decrease in dopamine levels. Pharmacotherapy aims to increase the amount of dopamine, which would improve motor symptoms. At the same time, the treatment also aims to reduce the amount of acetylcholine, which is increased in Parkinson's disease and worsens motor symptoms. Therefore, Choice A is the best answer.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of The patient receives levodopa and carbidopa (Sinemet).What...

Question 9

The elderly patient receives levodopa (Larodopa).The nurse is primarily concerned about which problem with this patient?

Accepted Answer

Muscle twitching can be a sign of levodopa overdose or toxicity, which is a serious concern for patients taking this medication.

Question 10

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

There are medications available that can help manage symptoms of Alzheimer's disease temporarily, but they do not cure the disease or stop its progression.

Question 11

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 experience difficulty with chewing and swallowing, leading to an increased risk for aspiration and malnutrition. The nurse's plan should include regular monitoring of the patient's ability to chew and swallow, and interventions to address any difficulties. Monitoring for thrombophlebitis and psychotic symptoms may also be necessary, but addressing the patient's nutritional needs should be a higher priority. There is no evidence to support limiting exercise to decrease the possibility of fractures; in fact, regular exercise can be beneficial for patients with Parkinson's disease.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Tacrine is metabolized in the liver and can cause hepatotoxicity, so the nurse should primarily assess liver function tests in patients receiving this medication.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Levodopa's absorption can be affected by certain vitamins, especially those containing vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which can reduce its effectiveness.

Question 14

Which statement is the most accurate regarding acetylcholinesterase inhibitors when used for Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, which intensifies its effect at the receptor. This is the reason why they improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease. However, they do not reverse the structural damage within the brain, increase synthesis of acetylcholine, or increase enzymatic breakdown leading to increased neuronal production.

Question 15

Muscle stiffness,pill-rolling activity,and bradykinesia are symptoms most likely associated with which disorder?

Accepted Answer

Muscle stiffness, pill-rolling activity, and bradykinesia are classical symptoms of Parkinson's disease, which is a neurological disorder that affects movement. Multiple sclerosis primarily affects the central nervous system, Alzheimer's disease primarily affects the brain and results in memory loss, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis affects the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

Chronic inflammation and oxidative cellular damage.

Question 17

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

The answer of The patient is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.The...

Question 18

Which of the following degenerative diseases of the central nervous system is the most common?

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease is the most common degenerative disease of the central nervous system, affecting approximately 1% of the population over the age of 60. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington's chorea are all less common.

Question 19

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 answer of The patient has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's...

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

Levodopa can cause constipation, so increasing fiber intake can help manage this side effect.

Quiz 20: Drugs for Degenerative Diseases of the Nervous System