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:

tell the spouse that medication therapy can be curative if drugs are begun in time.

recommend exercise, nutritional counseling, and group support to help manage the disease.

tell the spouse that the disease will not progress if mild symptoms are treated early.

counsel the spouse that parkinsonism is a normal part of the aging process in some people.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A) Tell the spouse that medication therapy can be curative if drugs are begun in time: Medication for Parkinson's disease (PD), such as levodopa, can help manage symptoms, but it is not curative. PD is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, and while medications can improve quality of life by alleviating symptoms, they do not stop the disease’s progression. Therefore, suggesting that medication therapy can be curative would be misleading.
B) Recommend exercise, nutritional counseling, and group support to help manage the disease: This is the most accurate and appropriate response. While medications are an important part of managing Parkinson's disease, non-pharmacological approaches, such as exercise, nutritional counseling, and support groups, play a critical role in improving overall function, mobility, and quality of life. Exercise, in particular, can help maintain mobility and reduce rigidity, while a balanced diet can assist in managing issues like constipation or swallowing difficulties. Group support can provide emotional support and help the patient and family navigate the challenges of living with PD.
C) Tell the spouse that the disease will not progress if mild symptoms are treated early: Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive condition, and while early treatment can help manage symptoms, it does not prevent the disease from progressing. Suggesting that the disease will not progress if symptoms are treated early would be unrealistic and could create false hope.
D) Counsel the spouse that parkinsonism is a normal part of the aging process in some people: While Parkinson's disease symptoms may appear in older adults, it is not a normal part of aging. Parkinson’s disease is a specific neurodegenerative condition, and its symptoms, such as tremor, bradykinesia, and rigidity, go beyond normal age-related changes. Misleading the spouse by categorizing it as "normal aging" would undermine the importance of proper diagnosis, treatment, and care.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A) Decrease in heart rate and perfusion, and an increase in inflammatory response: These manifestations suggest parasympathetic nervous system activation, not the sympathetic response. The sympathetic system generally increases heart rate and perfusion to support "fight or flight" responses. Additionally, inflammatory responses are more immune-related and are not a direct effect of sympathetic activation.

B) Increase motility and secretion in the GI tract, constriction of bronchi and pupils: This is characteristic of parasympathetic nervous system activity. The parasympathetic system stimulates digestion (increased motility and secretion) and causes bronchoconstriction and pupil constriction (miosis). The sympathetic nervous system, in contrast, inhibits GI motility and causes bronchodilation and pupil dilation.

C) Increase in blood pressure, bronchodilation, and decrease bowel sounds: These are hallmark signs of sympathetic nervous system activation. When the sympathetic system is activated during stress or danger, it leads to vasoconstriction, which increases blood pressure. Bronchodilation occurs to allow more oxygen intake, and GI motility decreases (manifested as reduced bowel sounds) to redirect energy to more vital functions, like increased circulation to muscles.

D) Decrease in sweating, decrease in respiration, and pupil constriction: These signs suggest parasympathetic or a relaxed state. The sympathetic nervous system typically increases sweating, respiration, and causes pupil dilation to prepare the body for increased activity. Decreased sweating and respiration, along with pupil constriction, would not be consistent with the sympathetic response.

A. Reducing some of the tremors B. Improving mental function C. Helping the patient to walk faster D. Minimizing symptoms of bradykinesia

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) Reducing some of the tremors: Benztropine (Cogentin) is an anticholinergic medication commonly used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease to help manage symptoms. It works by blocking the effects of acetylcholine, which can help to restore the balance between acetylcholine and dopamine in the brain. This helps reduce symptoms like tremors and rigidity, which are common in Parkinson’s disease. Although it may not completely eliminate these symptoms, it can significantly reduce tremors, making this the most accurate effect of the drug.

B) Improving mental function: Benztropine is not intended to improve mental function. In fact, anticholinergic medications like benztropine can sometimes cause cognitive side effects, including memory problems or confusion, particularly in older patients. While the drug is effective in reducing motor symptoms, it is not used to enhance cognitive abilities in Parkinson’s disease.

C) Helping the patient to walk faster: Benztropine does not directly improve gait speed or help a patient walk faster. The drug primarily targets motor symptoms like tremors and rigidity rather than improving bradykinesia (slowness of movement), which is often the cause of walking difficulty in Parkinson’s patients. Medications such as levodopa or dopamine agonists are typically used to address issues related to bradykinesia and movement speed.

D) Minimizing symptoms of bradykinesia: While benztropine can help manage tremors and rigidity, it is not particularly effective for bradykinesia, which is the hallmark symptom of Parkinson’s disease. Bradykinesia is best addressed with dopaminergic medications like levodopa or dopamine agonists. Therefore, benztropine would not be the first choice for minimizing bradykinesia symptoms.

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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:

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse assess that the patient is having a sympathetic response when noting what manifestation?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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