The nurse assessing the patient diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD) would expect which of the following assessment findings?

Muscle rigidity, flat affect and bradykinesia.

Generalized weakness and fatigue.

Ascending weakness starting in the legs.

Increasing dementia and involuntary movements.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Muscle rigidity, flat affect, and bradykinesia: The hallmark symptoms of PD include:

Muscle rigidity: Stiffness or inflexibility in the muscles, often felt as resistance when the patient’s limbs are moved.

Flat affect: A reduced facial expression or lack of emotional expression, which is common in PD due to the difficulty in controlling facial muscles.

Bradykinesia: Slowness of movement, which makes initiating and completing voluntary movements more difficult. This is a major characteristic of PD.

B. Generalized weakness and fatigue: While weakness and fatigue can occur in PD, they are not considered the primary hallmark symptoms. The primary issues in PD are related to movement abnormalities, including tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia. Fatigue can be secondary to the motor difficulties.

C. Ascending weakness starting in the legs: This is more characteristic of conditions like Guillain-Barré syndrome or other neurological disorders that cause progressive weakness, rather than PD. In PD, motor symptoms are typically bilateral and affect both sides of the body more symmetrically over time, not starting in the legs.

D. Increasing dementia and involuntary movements: While dementia can occur later in the course of PD, it is not a primary early symptom. Involuntary movements, such as tremors, can be a feature of PD but are not typically described as the same type of "involuntary movements" seen in conditions like Huntington's disease.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Call the cardiac catheterization lab and give report to transfer the client: This action is premature. Before considering a transfer to the catheterization lab, the nurse should first assess the patient to determine the severity and nature of the chest pain, which can help identify if the pain is related to a cardiac issue, such as an acute myocardial infarction (MI), and to guide further interventions.

B. Administer atenolol 25 mg po: While beta-blockers like atenolol may be part of the treatment plan for patients with chest pain, administering oral medication (PO) is not appropriate in an emergency situation, especially if the patient is experiencing severe chest pain. Immediate action should focus on assessment and stabilizing the patient before administering medications.

C. Assess vital signs and obtain a 12-lead EKG:The first priority is to assess the patient’s condition. Vital signs provide important information about the patient's hemodynamic status, and obtaining a 12-lead EKG is crucial for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction (MI) or other heart-related conditions. The EKG will help identify any abnormal rhythms or signs of ischemia, which will guide the treatment plan.

D. Call a rapid response: While calling a rapid response may be necessary if the patient's condition worsens or if they become unstable, the first step should be to assess the patient thoroughly. If the patient's condition deteriorates during the assessment, a rapid response may be called.

A. Urinary retention B. Hypertension C. Hyperglycemia D. Respiratory failure

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Urinary retention can occur in Guillain-Barre Syndrome due to autonomic dysfunction, but it is not the most life-threatening complication.
B. Hypertension may be seen as part of autonomic instability in GBS, but it is usually not the primary concern.
C. Hyperglycemia is not a typical complication of GBS itself, unless related to treatments like IV corticosteroids (which are not first-line therapy for GBS) or comorbid conditions.
D. Guillain-Barre Syndrome causes progressive ascending paralysis, which can eventually involve the respiratory muscles. Monitoring for respiratory failure is critical, as it can develop rapidly and requires immediate intervention, such as mechanical ventilation.

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The nurse assessing the patient diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD) would expect which of the following assessment findings?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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