When treating patients with medications for Parkinson’s disease, the nurse knows that the wearing-off phenomenon occurs for which reason?
There are rapid swings in the patient’s response to levodopa.
The patient cannot tolerate the medications at times.
The medications begin to lose effectiveness against Parkinson’s disease.
The patient’s liver is no longer able to metabolize the drug.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: The wearing-off phenomenon in Parkinson’s occurs when levodopa’s effect diminishes before the next dose, causing symptom fluctuations. This results from progressive dopamine neuron loss, reducing storage capacity, and shorter levodopa half-life, leading to rapid swings in motor control as plasma levels fluctuate.
Choice B reason: Intolerance to medications may cause side effects (e.g., nausea), but the wearing-off phenomenon is due to disease progression and levodopa’s pharmacokinetics, not patient tolerance. Symptoms return as drug levels drop, not because of inability to tolerate the dose.
Choice C reason: Medications like levodopa remain effective, but wearing-off occurs due to shorter duration of action as Parkinson’s progresses, not loss of drug efficacy. Neuron loss reduces dopamine storage, causing symptoms to re-emerge between doses, not a failure of the drug itself.
Choice D reason: The liver metabolizes levodopa minimally; carbidopa prevents peripheral breakdown. Wearing-off is due to central nervous system changes (loss of dopamine neurons), not liver dysfunction, which does not significantly alter levodopa’s pharmacokinetics in Parkinson’s disease.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Warm skin indicates adequate blood flow, a normal finding in neurovascular assessment. In Russell traction, used for femur fractures, warmth suggests intact circulation, not requiring immediate reporting unless accompanied by abnormal findings like swelling or pain.
Choice B reason: Capillary refill under 3 seconds is normal, indicating good peripheral perfusion. In traction, this suggests no vascular compromise, so it does not warrant immediate reporting compared to signs of ischemia or nerve damage.
Choice C reason: The ability to wiggle toes indicates intact motor nerve function, a positive finding in neurovascular assessment. In Russell traction, this reassures that nerves are not compressed, so it does not require immediate reporting unless lost.
Choice D reason: Bluish skin (cyanosis) indicates poor oxygenation or compromised circulation, a critical finding in Russell traction. It suggests vascular occlusion or compartment syndrome, which can lead to tissue necrosis or permanent damage, requiring immediate reporting to prevent serious complications.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Skeletal traction uses pins or wires inserted into the bone to apply controlled force, aligning fractured bones (e.g., femur) to promote proper healing. This counteracts muscle pull, ensuring anatomical alignment and reducing the risk of malunion or deformity during the healing process.
Choice B reason: While traction may reduce some complications, its primary purpose is not preventing back pain or vague future issues. It focuses on immediate fracture alignment and stabilization, addressing the acute injury rather than long-term sequelae like chronic pain.
Choice C reason: Traction reduces muscle spasms by counteracting muscle contraction around the fracture, but this is a secondary benefit. The primary purpose is bone realignment, as spasms are a symptom of misalignment rather than the main issue addressed by traction.
Choice D reason: Minimizing damage from treatment is not the primary purpose of skeletal traction. While proper application prevents complications, the main goal is to align and stabilize the fracture to facilitate healing, not merely
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