Which adverse effects associated with levodopa therapy would support the nursing diagnosis Risk for Injury?
Orthostatic hypotension
Nausea and vomiting
Anorexia and depression
Tachycardia and palpitations
The Correct Answer is A
A. Orthostatic hypotension:
Orthostatic hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up, is a potential adverse effect of levodopa therapy. This can lead to dizziness and increase the risk of falls, thus supporting the nursing diagnosis Risk for Injury.
B. Nausea and vomiting:
Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of levodopa therapy. While they can cause discomfort and dehydration, they are less directly related to the risk of physical injury compared to orthostatic hypotension.
C. Anorexia and depression:
Anorexia (loss of appetite) and depression can occur as adverse effects of levodopa therapy. While they can affect the patient's overall well-being and quality of life, they are not directly associated with an increased risk of physical injury.
D. Tachycardia and palpitations:
Tachycardia (rapid heart rate) and palpitations are less common adverse effects of levodopa therapy. While they may indicate cardiovascular issues, they are not typically associated with a direct risk of physical injury.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Difficulty initiating speech
This is a characteristic symptom of expressive aphasia. Individuals with expressive aphasia have difficulty initiating speech and may produce speech that is slow, effortful, and lacking in grammatical structure.
B. Difficulty understanding the written and spoken word
This symptom is not typically associated with expressive aphasia. Instead, difficulty understanding language, both written and spoken, is more commonly seen in receptive aphasia, also known as Wernicke's aphasia.
C. Total inability to communicate
While expressive aphasia can severely impair verbal communication, it does not result in a total inability to communicate. Individuals with expressive aphasia may still be able to communicate to some extent using nonverbal means, gestures, or writing.
D. Stuttering and spitting
Stuttering and spitting are not characteristic symptoms of expressive aphasia. Stuttering is a speech disorder characterized by interruptions in the flow of speech, while spitting is not typically associated with aphasia.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Semicomatose:
This term suggests a state between consciousness and coma. A patient who is semicomatose may exhibit some level of responsiveness but is typically unresponsive or only responds to intense stimuli.
B. Somnolent:
Somnolence refers to a state of drowsiness or sleepiness. A somnolent patient may appear sleepy, have difficulty staying awake, and may be slow to respond to stimuli. However, the withdrawal from painful stimuli described in the scenario suggests a higher level of responsiveness than what would typically be expected in a somnolent state.
C. Lethargic:
Lethargy describes a state of reduced alertness or responsiveness. A lethargic patient may appear drowsy, sluggish, and have diminished responses to stimuli. The description of the patient as stuporous (having a decreased level of consciousness) but still reacting by withdrawing from painful stimuli aligns with the characteristics of lethargy.
D. Comatose:
Coma refers to a state of profound unconsciousness where the patient is unresponsive to all stimuli, including painful stimuli. A comatose patient does not demonstrate any purposeful movement or response to stimuli. Since the patient in the scenario exhibits some response to painful stimuli by withdrawing, they do not meet the criteria for being comatose.
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