A nurse is planning care for a client who has Parkinson's disease (PD) and experiences freezing episodes. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Choice A reason:

This is a correct answer. Resting tremor is a common symptom of PD, which occurs when the affected limb or body part shakes involuntarily at rest and stops with voluntary movement or sleep. Resting tremor usually affects one side of the body first and then progresses to both sides. It typically involves the hand, arm, leg, jaw, or tongue.

Choice B reason:

This is a correct answer. Muscle rigidity is another common symptom of PD, which occurs when there is increased resistance to passive movement of the joints due to sustained muscle contraction. Muscle rigidity can cause stiffness, pain, reduced range of motion, and difficulty initiating movement.

Choice C reason:

This is a correct answer. Bradykinesia is another common symptom of PD, which occurs when there is slowness or paucity of movement due to impaired initiation or execution of movement. Bradykinesia can affect various aspects of motor function, such as facial expression, speech, swallowing, gait, writing, dressing, and self-care.

Choice D reason:

This is a correct answer. Postural instability is another common symptom of PD, which occurs when there is impaired balance or coordination due to reduced postural reflexes or sensory feedback. Postural instability can cause falls, difficulty turning or changing direction, stooped posture, shuffling steps, or freezing episodes.

Choice E reason:

This is an incorrect answer. Nuchal rigidity is not a common symptom of PD, but rather a sign of meningitis or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Nuchal rigidity occurs when there is stiffness or pain in the neck when flexing or extending it due to inflammation or irritation of the meninges or subarachnoid space.

Choice A reason:

This is a correct answer. The nurse should explain to the client that donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor that works by increasing the level of acetylcholine in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter that is involved in memory, learning, and cognition. Donepezil can slow down the progression of AD and improve the client's memory and thinking abilities.

Choice B reason:

This is an incorrect answer. The nurse should not tell the client that donepezil will increase the level of dopamine in the brain and reduce their tremors and rigidity. This is not the mechanism or effect of donepezil, but rather levodopa or carbidopa, which are medications used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD). PD is caused by a deficiency of dopamine in the brain, which affects movement and cognition.

Choice C reason:

This is an incorrect answer. The nurse should not tell the client that donepezil will prevent the inflammation and swelling in their brain and reduce their headaches and confusion. This is not the mechanism or effect of donepezil, but rather corticosteroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are medications used to treat encephalitis or meningitis. Encephalitis or meningitis are inflammatory conditions of the brain or meninges that can be caused by various viruses or bacteria.

Choice D reason:

This is an incorrect answer. The nurse should not tell the client that donepezil will enhance the transmission of nerve impulses in their brain and improve their mood and behavior. This is not the mechanism or effect of donepezil, but rather antidepressants or mood stabilizers, which are medications used to treat depression or bipolar disorder. Depression or bipolar disorder are mood disorders that affect the levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine in the brain.