The nurse provides care for a patient with an 8-year history of Parkinson's disease. The patient has difficulty getting out of chairs, makes tremulous movements, and mumbles words. What is the best explanation for these clinical manifestations?
Thrombosis of the small blood vessels in the substantia nigra.
Increased acetylcholine levels and cholinergic activity in the brain.
Cell-mediated immune response and muscle fiber damage.
Increased production of dopamine in the motor cortex.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A:
Thrombosis of the small blood vessels in the substantia nigra is the best explanation for the clinical manifestations observed in the patient. The substantia nigra is an area in the brain responsible for producing dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in motor control. Thrombosis, or the formation of blood clots, in the small blood vessels of the substantia nigra can lead to a decrease in dopamine production, resulting in the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Choice B:
Increased acetylcholine levels and cholinergic activity in the brain are not the primary factors causing the manifestations of Parkinson's disease. In fact, Parkinson's disease is characterized by a decrease in dopamine levels, not an increase in acetylcholine.
Choice C:
Cell-mediated immune response and muscle fiber damage are not the main mechanisms underlying the clinical manifestations of Parkinson's disease. While inflammation and immune responses may play a role in the progression of the disease, they are not the primary cause of the symptoms observed.
Choice D:
Increased production of dopamine in the motor cortex is not the cause of the symptoms in Parkinson's disease. In fact, patients with Parkinson's disease experience a decrease in dopamine production due to the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra.
Overall, the most plausible explanation for the patient's clinical manifestations is thrombosis of the small blood vessels in the substantia nigra, leading to a decrease in dopamine production.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Hyperplasia is not the best term because it is a condition where the number of cells in a tissue or organ increases, which can be caused by various factors, such as hormones, inflammation, or stress. Hyperplasia does not involve the change of cell type, but the increase of cell number.
Choice B reason: Metaplasia is the best term because it is a condition where the type of cells in a tissue or organ changes, usually in response to chronic irritation or injury. Metaplasia involves the replacement of one type of cell with another type of cell that is more resistant to the harmful stimulus, but less specialized in function. Metaplasia can occur in the bronchi, which are the airways that branch from the trachea to the lungs, and are normally lined with ciliated columnar cells, which are cells that have hair-like projections that help to move mucus and foreign particles out of the respiratory tract. Metaplasia can replace the ciliated columnar cells with stratified squamous epithelial cells, which are cells that have multiple layers and a flat shape, and are more durable, but less effective in clearing the airways.
Choice C reason: Neoplasia is not the best term because it is a condition where the growth of cells in a tissue or organ is abnormal and uncontrolled, which can result in the formation of tumors, which are masses of abnormal cells that can be benign or malignant. Neoplasia does not involve the change of cell type, but the abnormal proliferation of cells.
Choice D reason: Dysplasia is not the best term because it is a condition where the shape, size, and organization of cells in a tissue or organ are abnormal, which can be caused by various factors, such as chronic inflammation, infection, or precancerous changes. Dysplasia does not involve the change of cell type, but the alteration of cell morphology and arrangement.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Numbness and tingling of the fingers and toes is not the expected finding because it is a sign of alkalosis, not acidosis. Alkalosis is a condition where the blood has a high pH, which means that it is too basic or alkaline. Alkalosis can cause numbness and tingling of the fingers and toes due to hypocalcemia, which is a low level of calcium in the blood, or hypokalemia, which is a low level of potassium in the blood. Both conditions can affect the nerve and muscle function, causing paresthesia, which is an abnormal sensation of the skin.
Choice B reason: A diffuse headache described as "throbbing" is the expected finding because it is a sign of acidosis, which is a condition where the blood has a low pH, which means that it is too acidic. Acidosis can cause a diffuse headache described as "throbbing" due to vasodilation, which is the widening of the blood vessels, especially in the brain. Vasodilation can increase the blood flow and the pressure in the head, causing pain and discomfort.
Choice C reason: Flushed skin that is warm to the touch is not the expected finding because it is a sign of fever, not salicylate toxicity. Fever is a condition where the body temperature is higher than normal, usually due to an infection or inflammation. Fever can cause flushed skin that is warm to the touch due to increased blood flow to the skin, which helps to dissipate the excess heat.
Choice D reason: Decreased muscle strength and deep tendon reflexes is not the expected finding because it is a sign of neuromuscular blockade, not salicylate toxicity. Neuromuscular blockade is a condition where the communication between the nerves and the muscles is impaired, causing paralysis or weakness. Neuromuscular blockade can be caused by various factors, such as medications, toxins, or diseases, that interfere with the transmission of acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter that stimulates the muscle contraction.
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