A 70-year-old woman is being treated at home for Parkinson's disease (PD), a health problem that she was diagnosed with 18 months ago. The nurse who is participating in the woman's care should be aware that her initial symptoms most likely consisted of:

Increasing forgetfulness and confusion

Tremors and muscle rigidity

Visual disturbances and muscle weakness

Fatigue and respiratory difficulties

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Increasing forgetfulness and confusion: These symptoms are more characteristic of Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia, not Parkinson's disease. While cognitive decline can occur in later stages of PD, it is not typically an initial symptom.

B. Tremors and muscle rigidity: Tremors (often starting in one hand) and muscle rigidity are hallmark initial symptoms of Parkinson's disease. These motor symptoms are among the most common early manifestations.

C. Visual disturbances and muscle weakness: Visual disturbances are not typically associated with early Parkinson's disease, and muscle weakness is not an initial symptom but could occur later due to rigidity and bradykinesia.

D. Fatigue and respiratory difficulties: While fatigue can occur, respiratory difficulties are not typically initial symptoms of Parkinson's disease and are more associated with later stages or other conditions.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Report the finding so a sleep medication can be prescribed. While this might eventually be necessary, it's premature to suggest medication without further assessing the problem. Other interventions could be tried first.

B. Clarify what the client means by trouble falling asleep. Clarifying the client's statement is essential to understand the specific nature of the sleep problem, such as how long it takes to fall asleep, how often it occurs, and whether there are any contributing factors. This is a critical step in assessment before any further action.

C. Ask the client what they do before going to bed. This is a good follow-up question, but it should come after clarification of what the client means by trouble falling asleep. Understanding pre-bedtime routines is important but secondary to defining the issue.

D. Question the client about their use of caffeine. While this is a relevant question that could affect sleep patterns, it should follow after understanding the client's specific sleep issues.

A. Monitoring the client for neuroleptic malignant syndrome for up to 2 months after initiating the drug. B. Encouraging the client to report signs of diabetes, such as increased thirst, hunger, and urination. C. Advising the client to report weight gain and skin rashes to the health care provider immediately. D. Using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) to assess for neurologic adverse effects. E. Administering the medication subcutaneously when the client is unable to swallow effectively.

Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]

Explanation

A. Monitoring the client for neuroleptic malignant syndrome for up to 2 months after initiating the drug. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but serious adverse effect of antipsychotic medications. Monitoring for NMS, especially during the first few months of treatment, is crucial.

B. Encouraging the client to report signs of diabetes, such as increased thirst, hunger, and urination. Some antipsychotics, particularly second-generation antipsychotics, are associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, including diabetes. Clients should be educated to report symptoms suggestive of hyperglycemia.

C. Advising the client to report weight gain and skin rashes to the health care provider immediately. Weight gain is a common side effect, particularly with second-generation antipsychotics. Skin rashes could indicate an allergic reaction, including serious conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome, requiring immediate medical attention.

D. Using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) to assess for neurologic adverse effects. The AIMS scale is used to assess for tardive dyskinesia and other extrapyramidal symptoms, which are potential adverse effects of antipsychotic medications.

E. Administering the medication subcutaneously when the client is unable to swallow effectively. Antipsychotic medications are generally not administered subcutaneously. If a client cannot swallow, an alternative route such as intramuscular injection or an orally disintegrating tablet might be used.

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A 70-year-old woman is being treated at home for Parkinson's disease (PD), a health problem that she was diagnosed with 18 months ago. The nurse who is participating in the woman's care should be aware that her initial symptoms most likely consisted of:

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

During the interview of a client, the client states, "I have trouble falling asleep." Which action would be appropriate for a nurse to do next?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

When administering an antipsychotic medication to a client diagnosed with schizophrenia, which action would be most appropriate for the nurse to include in the client's plan of care? Select all that apply.

Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]

Explanation

Building trust is especially critical to developing a therapeutic relationship with an anxious client. Which of the following interventions contributes to this trust?

The nurse is aware that all the following pharmacological agents are useful in treating anxiety disorders except:

A client has a blood alcohol level that is double the legal limit for driving yet does not exhibit behaviors of intoxication. The nurse knows that this is due to which effect?

A client experienced a stroke that damaged the hypothalamus. The nurse should anticipate that the client will have problems with:

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A client has been diagnosed as having global aphasia. The nurse recognizes that the client will be unable to perform which action?

A patient's medication regimen for treatment of anxiety has been changed from a benzodiazepine to buspirone (BuSpar). The patient asks the nurse what makes this medication safer than the benzodiazepine he has taken. What is the nurse's best response?

A psychiatric mental-health nurse is evaluating the treatment plan of an adult client diagnosed with schizophrenia disorder with aggressive behaviors. Which outcome of the client would demonstrate successful treatment?