A patient with mild Alzheimer’s disease is prescribed to take galantamine. Which statement best describes how this medication works to treat this disease?
Prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine.
Decreases amyloid plaques in the brain.
Increases acetylcholine levels in the brain.
Limits neurotransmitter engagement of NMDA receptors
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
Prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine.
Galantamine is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, which means it works by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that is important for memory and learning. By inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, galantamine increases the levels of acetylcholine available in the brain, which can help improve cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease1. This mechanism of action is crucial because it directly addresses the cholinergic deficit observed in Alzheimer’s disease.
Choice B Reason:
Decreases amyloid plaques in the brain.
This statement is incorrect. Galantamine does not work by decreasing amyloid plaques in the brain. Amyloid plaques are one of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, but galantamine’s primary mechanism of action is related to acetylcholine metabolism. Other treatments and research efforts focus on targeting amyloid plaques, but this is not the function of galantamine.
Choice C Reason:
Increases acetylcholine levels in the brain.
While this statement is partially correct, it is not as precise as the correct answer. Galantamine increases acetylcholine levels indirectly by preventing its breakdown rather than directly increasing its production. The distinction is important because the therapeutic approach involves inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which breaks down acetylcholine, thereby increasing its availability.
Choice D Reason:
Limits neurotransmitter engagement of NMDA receptors.
This statement is incorrect. Limiting neurotransmitter engagement of NMDA receptors is the mechanism of action for a different class of Alzheimer’s medications, such as memantine. Galantamine does not affect NMDA receptors; instead, it enhances cholinergic function by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase and potentiating nicotinic receptors.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Labeling mild anxiety as pathologic and suggesting that it warrants postponing the test is not accurate. Mild anxiety is a normal response to stress and can actually be beneficial in certain situations. It helps to increase alertness and focus, which can improve performance on tasks such as taking a test. Pathologic anxiety, on the other hand, is excessive and persistent, interfering with daily functioning and requiring clinical intervention.
Choice B Reason:
The idea that mild anxiety may be transferred to classmates and result in generalized anxiety disorder is not supported by evidence. Anxiety is a personal experience and while it can be influenced by the environment, it is not something that can be directly transferred from one person to another. Generalized anxiety disorder is a chronic condition characterized by excessive worry about various aspects of life, and it develops due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.
Choice C Reason:
While severe anxiety can interfere with cognitive ability, mild anxiety typically does not. In fact, mild anxiety can enhance cognitive performance by increasing alertness and focus. It is only when anxiety becomes overwhelming that it starts to impair cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and problem-solving.
Choice D Reason:
Mild anxiety is conducive to concentration and problem-solving. This level of anxiety can act as a motivator, helping individuals to focus better and perform tasks more efficiently. The Yerkes-Dodson law suggests that there is an optimal level of arousal (including anxiety) that enhances performance. Too little arousal can lead to underperformance, while too much can cause performance to deteriorate.
Correct Answer is ["600"]
Explanation
Step 1: Identify the total volume to be infused.
- Total volume = 250 mL
Step 2: Identify the total time for infusion.
- Total time = 25 minutes
Step 3: Calculate the rate in mL per minute.
- Rate = Total volume ÷ Total time
- Rate = 250 mL ÷ 25 minutes
- Rate = 10 mL per minute
Step 4: Convert the rate to mL per hour.
- Since there are 60 minutes in an hour, multiply the rate by 60.
- Rate per hour = 10 mL per minute × 60
- Rate per hour = 600 mL per hour
The nurse should program the pump to infuse at a rate of 600 mL per hour.
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