Chapter 20: Drugs for Parkinson Disease and Alzheimer Disease

Chapter 20: Drugs for Parkinson Disease and Alzheimer Disease

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. An older patient exhibits a shuffling gait, lack of facial expression, and tremors at rest. The nurse will expect the provider to order which medication for this patient?

a.	Carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet)
b.	Donepezil (Aricept)
c.	Rivastigmine (Exelon)
d.	Tacrine (Cognex)

 

 

ANS:   A

This patient is exhibiting signs of Parkinson disease and should be treated with carbidopa-levodopa. The other drugs are used to treat Alzheimer disease.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)                              REF:    p. 257

TOP:    Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:   NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pathophysiology

 

2. A nursing student asks the nurse to differentiate the pathology of Alzheimer disease from that of Parkinson disease. Which description is correct?

a.	Alzheimer disease involves a possible excess of acetylcholine and neuritic plaques.
b.	Alzheimer disease is caused by decreased amounts of dopamine and degeneration of cholinergic neurons.
c.	Parkinson disease is characterized by an imbalance of dopamine and acetylcholine.
d.	Parkinson disease involves increased dopamine production and decreased acetylcholine.

 

 

ANS:   C

Parkinson disease (PD) is characterized by an imbalance of dopamine (DA) and acetylcholine (ACh) caused by an unexplained degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons, allowing the excitatory response of acetylcholine to exceed the inhibitory response of dopamine. Alzheimer disease (AD) may result from decreased ACh, degeneration of cholinergic neurons, and neuritic plaques. Dopamine does not appear to play a role in Alzheimer disease.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)               REF:    p. 257

TOP:    Nursing Process: N/A

MSC:   NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pathophysiology

 

3. The spouse of a patient newly diagnosed with mild, unilateral symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD) asks the nurse what, besides medication, can be done to manage the disease. The nurse will

a.	counsel the spouse that parkinsonism is a normal part of the aging process in some people.
b.	recommend exercise, nutritional counseling, and group support to help manage the disease.
c.	tell the spouse that the disease will not progress if mild symptoms are treated early.
d.	tell the spouse that medication therapy can be curative if drugs are begun in time.

 

 

ANS:   B

PD is a progressive disorder. Non-pharmacologic measures can lessen symptoms and help patients and families cope with the disorder. Although the aging process may contribute to the development of PD, it is not necessarily a normal part of aging. Treatment may slow the progression but does not arrest or cure the disease.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)               REF:    p. 257

TOP:    Nursing Process: Nursing Intervention

MSC:   NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pathophysiology

 

4. A patient who has Parkinson disease is being treated with the anticholinergic medication benztropine (Cogentin). The nurse will tell the patient that this drug will have which effect?

a.	Helping the patient to walk faster
b.	Improving mental function
c.	Minimizing symptoms of bradykinesia
d.	Reducing some of the tremors

 

 

ANS:   D

Benztropine is given to reduce rigidity and some of the tremors. It does not enhance walking, reduce bradykinesia, or improve mental function.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)               REF:    p. 258

TOP:    Nursing Process: Nursing Intervention: Patient Teaching

MSC:   NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies