A client recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease receives a new prescription for carbidopa-levodopa. To reduce the client's risk for injury, which instruction should the nurse provide?
Caution when changing from a sitting to a standing position.
Ambulate using a four point cane or a walker with wheels.
Place small rugs on smooth surfaces such as tile or wood floors.
Obtain a hospital bed with side rails and an over bed trapeze.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Caution when changing from a sitting to a standing position: Carbidopa-levodopa can cause orthostatic hypotension, leading to dizziness and falls. Teaching the client to rise slowly and carefully helps prevent sudden drops in blood pressure and significantly reduces the risk of injury.
B. Ambulate using a four point cane or a walker with wheels: Assistive devices can help with mobility in Parkinson’s disease, but their use should be based on a physical therapist’s evaluation. Not every client will immediately require a walker or cane upon starting treatment.
C. Place small rugs on smooth surfaces such as tile or wood floors: Small rugs actually increase the risk of tripping and falling, especially for clients with Parkinson’s disease, who already have gait instability. It is safer to remove rugs rather than add them.
D. Obtain a hospital bed with side rails and an over bed trapeze: A hospital bed with side rails and an overbed trapeze might be necessary for clients with advanced Parkinson's disease who have significant mobility limitations or require assistance with repositioning in bed. However, for a newly diagnosed client, this level of equipment is likely unnecessary and could foster dependence.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Use insulin sliding scale until symptoms are resolved: Starting insulin without an evaluation would be inappropriate. A sliding scale may eventually be needed if blood sugars fluctuate, but the priority is to assess the cause of the gastrointestinal symptoms first.
B. Return to the clinic for laboratory tests for an infection: Although an infection could be a cause, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in a diabetic client also raise concern for possible medication issues, dehydration, or even metabolic disturbances. Immediate evaluation is necessary before simply ordering lab tests.
C. Schedule a visit for evaluation by the healthcare provider (HCP): New gastrointestinal symptoms could indicate a significant underlying issue such as medication intolerance, dehydration, or even diabetic ketoacidosis (though less common in type 2). An urgent clinical assessment by the HCP is most appropriate.
D. Increase oral fluid intake until these symptoms subside: While staying hydrated is important, advising fluids alone without a thorough assessment risks missing a serious underlying cause. Symptom management should not replace a proper medical evaluation.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Obtain a specimen for a urine culture: A urine culture is necessary when infection is suspected, typically indicated by symptoms like burning, urgency, or foul odor. Darker urine alone in a client on carbidopa/levodopa is not an indication for infection testing.
B. Explain the color change is normal: Carbidopa/levodopa can cause harmless discoloration of bodily fluids, including darker urine, sweat, and saliva due to the metabolism and excretion of the medication. This is a well-known and non-threatening side effect that does not require intervention beyond client reassurance.
C. Measure the client's urinary output: Monitoring urinary output is important in cases of suspected dehydration or renal dysfunction, but simply darker urine without changes in volume or symptoms does not justify additional measurement in this scenario.
D. Encourage an increase in oral intake: While adequate hydration is always encouraged, the urine color change reported here is due to the medication itself, not dehydration. Therefore, increasing fluid intake will not reverse or prevent the discoloration.
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