The nurse is providing patient education to a patient with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and their family. The patient has been prescribed donepezil hydrochloride.
What should the nurse explain to the patient and family about this drug?

Choice A rationale
Slowing of activity, also known as bradykinesia, is a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease. It is characterized by a general reduction in the speed and amplitude of voluntary movements, leading to difficulties with tasks such as walking, talking, and performing other self-care activities.
Choice B rationale
Muscle flaccidity is not typically associated with Parkinson’s disease. Instead, people with Parkinson’s often experience muscle rigidity or stiffness.
Choice C rationale
A gait with the body leaning backward is not a typical symptom of Parkinson’s disease. People with Parkinson’s disease often have a stooped posture, with the body leaning forward.
Choice D rationale
Continuous tremors are a hallmark symptom of Parkinson’s disease, but they are not present in all cases. Tremors in Parkinson’s disease are often described as a “pill-rolling” tremor because the movement resembles the motion of trying to roll a pill between the thumb and index finger.

Choice A rationale

While prothrombin level is an important test in evaluating blood clotting disorders, it is not typically used in the initial diagnostic evaluations for a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or stroke.
Choice B rationale
Brain CT or MRI scans are commonly used in the initial diagnostic evaluations for a CVA. These imaging tests can show bleeding in the brain, an ischemic stroke, a tumor, or other conditions.
Choice C rationale
A chest x-ray is not typically used in the initial diagnostic evaluations for a CVA. It is more commonly used to diagnose conditions affecting the lungs and heart.
Choice D rationale
A lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, may be used in some cases to help diagnose a CVA, but it is not typically part of the initial diagnostic evaluations.