The nurse is caring for a patient with Parkinson’s disease. While writing the care plan for this patient what would be an appropriate nursing diagnosis?

A) Norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin:
Depression has been strongly linked to deficiencies in certain neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. These neurotransmitters play significant roles in regulating mood, emotions, and behavior. When their levels are low, individuals may experience symptoms of depression, such as sadness, low energy, anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), and difficulty concentrating. Antidepressant medications often work by increasing the availability of these neurotransmitters in the brain.

B) Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, and Acetylcholine:
While norepinephrine plays a key role in depression, epinephrine and acetylcholine are not typically highlighted as the primary neurotransmitters involved in depression. Epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) is more associated with the body’s stress response and fight-or-flight reaction. Acetylcholine is involved in memory and learning processes, but it is not the primary neurotransmitter related to depression.

C) Acetylcholine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and serotonin:
Acetylcholine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are involved in many brain functions, but they are not the primary neurotransmitters linked to depression. While GABA may play a role in mood regulation, it is not typically associated with depression in the same way that serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine are. Serotonin is the exception in this answer

D) Gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine, and epinephrine:
Although dopamine is involved in depression, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and epinephrine are not the key neurotransmitters associated with the pathophysiology of depression. Epinephrine primarily affects the stress response, and while GABA does influence mood and anxiety, it is not the main neurotransmitter linked to depression itself.

A) It decreases the activity of norepinephrine receptor sites: Cholinergic agonists specifically act on acetylcholine receptors, not norepinephrine receptors. Norepinephrine is associated with the sympathetic nervous system and its receptors (alpha and beta), whereas cholinergic agonists affect the parasympathetic system through acetylcholine receptors.
B) It increases the activity of acetylcholine receptor sites: This is the correct answer. Cholinergic agonists work by stimulating acetylcholine receptors (both muscarinic and nicotinic), thereby enhancing the action of acetylcholine. This can lead to various effects such as decreased heart rate, increased digestion, and muscle contraction, as part of the parasympathetic nervous system response.
C) It decreases the activity of GABA receptor sites: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that acts on GABA receptors, not acetylcholine receptors. Cholinergic agonists have no direct effect on GABA receptor activity.
D) It increases the activity of dopamine receptor sites: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter primarily involved in the reward system, motor control, and mood regulation. Cholinergic agonists do not directly affect dopamine receptors. Instead, they target acetylcholine receptors, which are part of the parasympathetic nervous system.