A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who is starting to take carbidopa/levodopa to treat Parkinson’s disease. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
This medication can cause your urine to turn a dark color.
Expect immediate relief after taking this medication.
Take the medication with a high-protein food.
Skip a dose of the medication if you experience dizziness.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
Carbidopa/levodopa can cause the urine to turn a dark color, such as red, brown, or black. This is a harmless side effect but can be alarming to patients if they are not forewarned. Informing patients about this potential change helps to prevent unnecessary concern.
Choice B Reason:
Expecting immediate relief after taking carbidopa/levodopa is not accurate. While some patients may experience symptom relief relatively quickly, it often takes several weeks for the full therapeutic effects to be realized. Patients should be advised to continue taking the medication as prescribed and to communicate with their healthcare provider about their progress.
Choice C Reason:
Taking carbidopa/levodopa with high-protein food is not recommended. High-protein foods can interfere with the absorption of the medication, reducing its effectiveness. It is generally advised to take the medication on an empty stomach or with a low-protein snack.
Choice D Reason:
Skipping a dose of the medication if experiencing dizziness is not advisable. Dizziness can be a side effect of carbidopa/levodopa, but it should be managed by adjusting the dose or timing of the medication rather than skipping doses. Patients should discuss any side effects with their healthcare provider to find the best management strategy.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason
“Tube drainage should be rust-colored.” This statement is incorrect. Normal NG tube drainage is typically greenish-yellow due to bile or clear if it is from the stomach. Rust-colored drainage could indicate bleeding and should be reported immediately.
Choice B Reason
“Nutrition will be provided through the tube.” This statement is incorrect. While NG tubes can be used for feeding, in the context of a postoperative colectomy, the primary purpose of the NG tube is usually to decompress the stomach and prevent nausea and vomiting. Enteral feeding is typically done through a different type of tube, such as a nasojejunal tube.
Choice C Reason
“The tube decreases pressure within the stomach.” This is the correct statement. An NG tube is often used postoperatively to decompress the stomach, which helps to reduce pressure, prevent vomiting, and allow the gastrointestinal tract to heal.
Choice D Reason
“The tube should be irrigated with sterile water.” This statement is partially correct but needs context. NG tubes should be irrigated to maintain patency, but the type of solution (sterile water, saline) can vary based on hospital protocol. The primary focus here is on the purpose of the NG tube rather than the irrigation technique.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason
Lidocaine is primarily used to treat ventricular arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It is not typically used for bradycardia (a heart rate of 40/min) and would not be appropriate for this scenario.
Choice B Reason
Adenosine is used to treat certain types of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) by slowing down the heart rate. It is not indicated for bradycardia and would not be suitable for a heart rate of 40/min.
Choice C Reason
Atropine is the first-line medication for treating symptomatic bradycardia. It works by blocking the effects of the vagus nerve on the heart, thereby increasing the heart rate. Given the client’s symptoms of a low heart rate, diaphoresis, and chest pain, atropine is the appropriate choice.
Choice D Reason
Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure, angina, and certain types of arrhythmias. However, it is not used for bradycardia and could potentially worsen the condition by further lowering the heart rate.
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