A nurse is providing teaching to a client newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who is prescribed carbidopa/levodopa. What should be included in client teaching?
This is a safe medication that is associated with minimal side effects
Stop the medication if there is increased urination
Change position slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension
Double the dose if a dose is missed at the next scheduled time
The Correct Answer is C
A. This is a safe medication that is associated with minimal side effects: Carbidopa/levodopa is an effective medication for managing the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, but it is not without side effects. Common side effects include nausea, dizziness, dyskinesia (involuntary movements), and orthostatic hypotension. It is important to be honest with clients about the potential side effects and manage them proactively, rather than describing the medication as "safe with minimal side effects," which could lead to underestimating the risks.
B. Stop the medication if there is increased urination: Increased urination is not a common or typical side effect of carbidopa/levodopa. In fact, the medication is more likely to cause urinary retention or difficulty urinating in some cases. The client should not stop taking the medication without consulting their healthcare provider. Any urinary changes should be reported, but abrupt discontinuation of the medication is not advised without medical supervision.
C. Change position slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension: One of the common side effects of carbidopa/levodopa therapy is orthostatic hypotension, which occurs when a person experiences a drop in blood pressure upon standing up. This can lead to dizziness or fainting, increasing the risk of falls. The client should be educated to change positions slowly, such as sitting up slowly and standing up gradually from a lying position, to minimize the risk of orthostatic hypotension. This is a critical aspect of safety and should be emphasized as part of the teaching.
D. Double the dose if a dose is missed at the next scheduled time: Doubling the dose of carbidopa/levodopa if a dose is missed can lead to an overdose, which may cause serious side effects, including dyskinesias or other complications. Clients should be instructed to take the missed dose as soon as they remember, unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, they should skip the missed dose and continue with their regular dosing schedule. It is important to never double the dose without guidance from the healthcare provider.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["20"]
Explanation
Step-by-Step Solution:
Calculate the volume of medication to administer.
The available medication is 125 mg/5 mL.
We need to administer 500 mg.
To find the volume, we can set up a proportion:
125 mg / 5 mL = 500 mg / x mL
Cross-multiplying:
125x = 500 x 5
Solving for x:
x = (500 x 5) / 125 = 20 mL
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Muscle rigidity and bradykinesia: Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by a combination of motor symptoms due to the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. The hallmark motor symptoms include muscle rigidity (stiffness of muscles, making movement difficult) and bradykinesia (slowness of movement). These symptoms are typically present early in the disease and can lead to difficulties with daily activities such as walking, speaking, and performing fine motor tasks. These two signs are primary indicators of Parkinson's disease.
B. Facial pain and ptosis: Facial pain and ptosis (drooping eyelids) are not typical symptoms of Parkinson's disease. PD can affect facial expression (resulting in a masked face), but it does not usually cause facial pain. Ptosis is more commonly seen in conditions like Horner's syndrome, myasthenia gravis, or as a side effect of medications, but it is not a hallmark symptom of Parkinson's disease.
C. Diarrhea and nausea: While gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation can be seen in Parkinson's disease due to autonomic dysfunction and decreased gut motility, diarrhea and nausea are not typical primary symptoms. In fact, constipation is a more common issue in PD. Nausea could result from the use of medications like levodopa, but it is not a defining feature of the disease itself.
D. Ecchymosis and petechiae: Ecchymosis (bruising) and petechiae (small red or purple spots on the skin) are not characteristic of Parkinson's disease. These findings are more often associated with platelet disorders, bleeding disorders, or vascular conditions. While Parkinson's disease can involve complications like falls (which could lead to bruising), these are not direct symptoms of the disease itself. The primary symptoms involve motor and autonomic dysfunction.
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