A patient has been given a prescription for levodopa-carbidopa for a new diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. The patient asks the nurse, "Why are there two drugs in this pill?" The nurse's best response reflects which fact?

Carbidopa prevents the breakdown of levodopa in the periphery.

Carbidopa is the biologic precursor of dopamine and can penetrate into the central nervous system.

Carbidopa allows for larger doses of levodopa to be given.

There are concerns about drug-food interactions with levodopa therapy that do not exist with the combination therapy.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A.   Carbidopa prevents the breakdown of levodopa in the periphery, specifically in the gastrointestinal tract and peripheral tissues, allowing more levodopa to reach the brain and be converted to dopamine. This enhances the effectiveness of levodopa therapy in managing the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
B.   Carbidopa is not the biologic precursor of dopamine. It is a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor that does not cross the blood-brain barrier.
C.   Carbidopa does not directly allow for larger doses of levodopa to be given. However, by

inhibiting the peripheral breakdown of levodopa, it enhances the availability of levodopa to the central nervous system, potentially improving therapeutic efficacy.
D. While levodopa-carbidopa combination therapy may have fewer drug-food interactions compared to levodopa alone, the primary reason for combining these medications is to enhance the effectiveness of levodopa by preventing its peripheral breakdown.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat seizures and certain mood disorders. It is not typically used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
B. Piperacillin/tazobactam is an antibiotic combination used to treat bacterial infections. It is not used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
C. Levothyroxine is a synthetic thyroid hormone used to treat hypothyroidism. It is not used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
D. Levodopa/carbidopa is a medication commonly used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease to manage motor symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia. The nurse should provide
thorough education to the client regarding the indication, dosage, administration, potential side effects, and precautions associated with levodopa/carbidopa therapy.

A. "I will need to take extra care of my teeth and gums while on this medication." B. "I will be able to stop taking this drug once the seizures stop." C. "I can go out for a beer while on this medication." D. "I can skip doses if the side effects bother me."

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. "I will need to take extra care of my teeth and gums while on this medication.": Phenytoin can cause gum overgrowth (gingival hyperplasia), so taking extra care of oral hygiene is important.
B. "I will be able to stop taking this drug once the seizures stop.": Phenytoin is typically used as a long-term therapy for seizure control; stopping abruptly can lead to rebound seizures.
C. "I can go out for a beer while on this medication.": Alcohol consumption may interact with phenytoin and should be avoided or limited.
D. "I can skip doses if the side effects bother me.": Skipping doses of phenytoin can lead to inadequate seizure control and should not be done without consulting a healthcare provider.

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A patient has been given a prescription for levodopa-carbidopa for a new diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. The patient asks the nurse, "Why are there two drugs in this pill?" The nurse's best response reflects which fact?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. On which of the following medications should the nurse prepare to instruct the client?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse has given medication instructions to a patient receiving phenytoin. Which statement by the patient indicates that the patient has an adequate understanding of the instructions?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A patient is experiencing status epilepticus. The nurse prepares to give which drug of choice for the treatment of this condition?

During a routine appointment, a patient with a history of seizures is found to have a phenytoin level of 23 mcg/mL. What concern will the nurse have, if any?

A patient has had an overdose of an intravenous cholinergic drug. The nurse expects to administer which drug as an antidote?

A nurse is preparing to administer amantadine 150 mg PO every 12 hr. Available is amantadine 50 mg/5 mL syrup. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

When a patient is taking an anticholinergic such as benztropine as part of the treatment for Parkinson's disease, the nurse should include which information in the teaching plan?

A patient has been taking donepezil for 2 weeks as part of the treatment for early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Her daughter calls the prescriber's office and is upset because "Mother has not improved one bit!" Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

When assessing patients in the preoperative area, the nurse knows that which patient is at a higher risk for an altered response to anesthesia

The barbiturate phenobarbital is prescribed for a patient with epilepsy. While assessing the patient's current medications, the nurse recognizes that interactions may occur with which drugs? (Select all that apply.)