A patient is taking aspirin to help prevent myocardial infarction and is experiencing moderate gastrointestinal upset. The nurse will contact the patient’s provider to discuss changing from aspirin to which drug?

A) Tell the spouse that medication therapy can be curative if drugs are begun in time: Medication for Parkinson's disease (PD), such as levodopa, can help manage symptoms, but it is not curative. PD is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, and while medications can improve quality of life by alleviating symptoms, they do not stop the disease’s progression. Therefore, suggesting that medication therapy can be curative would be misleading.
B) Recommend exercise, nutritional counseling, and group support to help manage the disease: This is the most accurate and appropriate response. While medications are an important part of managing Parkinson's disease, non-pharmacological approaches, such as exercise, nutritional counseling, and support groups, play a critical role in improving overall function, mobility, and quality of life. Exercise, in particular, can help maintain mobility and reduce rigidity, while a balanced diet can assist in managing issues like constipation or swallowing difficulties. Group support can provide emotional support and help the patient and family navigate the challenges of living with PD.
C) Tell the spouse that the disease will not progress if mild symptoms are treated early: Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive condition, and while early treatment can help manage symptoms, it does not prevent the disease from progressing. Suggesting that the disease will not progress if symptoms are treated early would be unrealistic and could create false hope.
D) Counsel the spouse that parkinsonism is a normal part of the aging process in some people: While Parkinson's disease symptoms may appear in older adults, it is not a normal part of aging. Parkinson’s disease is a specific neurodegenerative condition, and its symptoms, such as tremor, bradykinesia, and rigidity, go beyond normal age-related changes. Misleading the spouse by categorizing it as "normal aging" would undermine the importance of proper diagnosis, treatment, and care.

A) Proteins:
Proteins are generally too large to diffuse freely across the cell membrane. They require specific transport mechanisms, such as endocytosis or transport proteins, to move in and out of cells. The hydrophilic nature of most proteins further complicates their passage across the lipid bilayer.

B) Enzymes:
Like proteins, enzymes are large molecules that do not freely diffuse across cell membranes. Enzymes, being proteins, also need specialized transport mechanisms or need to be secreted or endocytosed to enter or exit cells.

C) Hormones:
Many hormones, particularly lipid-soluble ones like steroid hormones, can diffuse freely across the cell membrane. These hormones pass through the lipid bilayer due to their hydrophobic nature and bind to intracellular receptors, initiating cellular responses. However, water-soluble hormones (e.g., insulin) typically do not diffuse freely but interact with receptors on the cell surface.

D) Electrolytes:
Electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride ions) are charged particles that cannot pass freely through the lipid bilayer due to the hydrophobic interior of the cell membrane. They require specific ion channels or transporters to move in and out of the cell. Diffusion of electrolytes is facilitated through these channels, but it is not a simple diffusion process as seen with small, uncharged molecules.