NCLEX QUESTIONS PARKINSON DISEASE AND
ANSWERS LATEST VERSION VERIFIED RATIONALE
GRADED A+
A client newly diagnosed with Parkinson disease asks the nurse, "What does dopamine do in the brain?"
Which is the most appropriate response?
A. "Dopamine enhances the ac�on of acetylcholine."
B. "Dopamine causes spinal cord neurons to transmit impulses."
C. "Dopamine s�mulates the neurons to transmit sensory and motor impulses."
D. "Dopamine helps maintain coordinated motor movement." - ansAnswer:
Ra�onale: Dopamine is responsible for coordina�on. It balances the neurotransmiter acetylcholine,
which s�mulates the neurons. Dopamine prevents this s�mula�on from becoming excessive. Dopamine
provides regula�on rather than s�mula�on. Dopamine regulates motor neuron impulses and balances
acetylcholine. Dopamine only works on certain brain neurons located in the basal ganglia, not the spinal
cord. Dopamine minimizes and balances the effects of acetylcholine and does not enhance it.
A client with Parkinson disease (PD) complains of increased tremor while ea�ng. Which ac�on should
the nurse recommend?
A. Having someone feed them
B. Liquefying all meals and drinking them through a straw
C. Holding a piece of bread in the other hand while ea�ng
D. Using their nondominant hand to eat - ansAnswer: B
Ra�onale: Holding a piece of bread in the opposite hand or purposeful movement will decrease tremors
while ea�ng. The client should be encouraged to eat independently for as long as possible. Using the
nondominant hand may lack coordina�on. As the client with PD is prone to choking, liquefying all meals
would not be recommended.
A client with Parkinson disease (PD) is prescribed an an�cholinergic agent to treat tremors and rigidity.
The nurse should teach the client about which adverse effect they may experience from this medica�on?
(Select all that apply.)
A. Drooling
B. Dry mouth
C. Rigidity
D. Loss of perspira�on
, NCLEX QUESTIONS PARKINSON DISEASE AND
ANSWERS LATEST VERSION VERIFIED RATIONALE
GRADED A+
E.Tremors - ansAnswer: B, D
Ra�onale: An�cholinergic medica�ons can cause a decrease in saliva�on, causing dry mouth. This
medica�on decreases tremors and reduces rigidity by blocking acetylcholine. The client taking this
medica�on will have problems with temperature control because the client will not be able to perspire
to cool off.
A nurse is preparing a presenta�on on Parkinson disease (PD) for a health fair at a local community
center. Which informa�on should the nurse include in the presenta�on?
A. Parkinson disease affects both men and women at the same rate.
B. Parkinson disease is the result of an infec�on.
C. Parkinson disease is inherited in over 50% of those affected.
D. Parkinson disease usually affects people older than the age of 60 years. - ansAnswer: D
Ra�onale: The cause of PD is not known. There is no evidence of an infec�on that causes Parkinson
disease. It is inherited in only 15dash25% of cases. Parkinson disease affects men more than it does
women. Parkinson disease is more common in people over 60 years of age. It can also occur in younger
people, but this is less common.
An older adult client was diagnosed with Parkinson disease 3 months ago. Since the diagnosis, the client
has not gone out of the house. Which statement by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "Tell your family to come and take you out of the house."
B. "Can I ask why you aren't going out of the house?"
C. "You need to start ge�ng out."
D. "Ge�ng out of the house will help you to feel less depressed." - ansAnswer: B
Ra�onale: Asking an open-ended ques�on and inquiring about the reason why the client is not going out
of the house will encourage the client to discuss and share informa�on. Advising the client about going
out, telling the client that they will feel beter by going out, or involving the family will not encourage the
client to discuss the reason behind staying at home.
An older adult client with Parkinson disease uses a walker, speaks in a slurred manner with poor
ar�cula�on, but tries to speak louder to accommodate for this impairment. The client states, "I catch my
ANSWERS LATEST VERSION VERIFIED RATIONALE
GRADED A+
A client newly diagnosed with Parkinson disease asks the nurse, "What does dopamine do in the brain?"
Which is the most appropriate response?
A. "Dopamine enhances the ac�on of acetylcholine."
B. "Dopamine causes spinal cord neurons to transmit impulses."
C. "Dopamine s�mulates the neurons to transmit sensory and motor impulses."
D. "Dopamine helps maintain coordinated motor movement." - ansAnswer:
Ra�onale: Dopamine is responsible for coordina�on. It balances the neurotransmiter acetylcholine,
which s�mulates the neurons. Dopamine prevents this s�mula�on from becoming excessive. Dopamine
provides regula�on rather than s�mula�on. Dopamine regulates motor neuron impulses and balances
acetylcholine. Dopamine only works on certain brain neurons located in the basal ganglia, not the spinal
cord. Dopamine minimizes and balances the effects of acetylcholine and does not enhance it.
A client with Parkinson disease (PD) complains of increased tremor while ea�ng. Which ac�on should
the nurse recommend?
A. Having someone feed them
B. Liquefying all meals and drinking them through a straw
C. Holding a piece of bread in the other hand while ea�ng
D. Using their nondominant hand to eat - ansAnswer: B
Ra�onale: Holding a piece of bread in the opposite hand or purposeful movement will decrease tremors
while ea�ng. The client should be encouraged to eat independently for as long as possible. Using the
nondominant hand may lack coordina�on. As the client with PD is prone to choking, liquefying all meals
would not be recommended.
A client with Parkinson disease (PD) is prescribed an an�cholinergic agent to treat tremors and rigidity.
The nurse should teach the client about which adverse effect they may experience from this medica�on?
(Select all that apply.)
A. Drooling
B. Dry mouth
C. Rigidity
D. Loss of perspira�on
, NCLEX QUESTIONS PARKINSON DISEASE AND
ANSWERS LATEST VERSION VERIFIED RATIONALE
GRADED A+
E.Tremors - ansAnswer: B, D
Ra�onale: An�cholinergic medica�ons can cause a decrease in saliva�on, causing dry mouth. This
medica�on decreases tremors and reduces rigidity by blocking acetylcholine. The client taking this
medica�on will have problems with temperature control because the client will not be able to perspire
to cool off.
A nurse is preparing a presenta�on on Parkinson disease (PD) for a health fair at a local community
center. Which informa�on should the nurse include in the presenta�on?
A. Parkinson disease affects both men and women at the same rate.
B. Parkinson disease is the result of an infec�on.
C. Parkinson disease is inherited in over 50% of those affected.
D. Parkinson disease usually affects people older than the age of 60 years. - ansAnswer: D
Ra�onale: The cause of PD is not known. There is no evidence of an infec�on that causes Parkinson
disease. It is inherited in only 15dash25% of cases. Parkinson disease affects men more than it does
women. Parkinson disease is more common in people over 60 years of age. It can also occur in younger
people, but this is less common.
An older adult client was diagnosed with Parkinson disease 3 months ago. Since the diagnosis, the client
has not gone out of the house. Which statement by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "Tell your family to come and take you out of the house."
B. "Can I ask why you aren't going out of the house?"
C. "You need to start ge�ng out."
D. "Ge�ng out of the house will help you to feel less depressed." - ansAnswer: B
Ra�onale: Asking an open-ended ques�on and inquiring about the reason why the client is not going out
of the house will encourage the client to discuss and share informa�on. Advising the client about going
out, telling the client that they will feel beter by going out, or involving the family will not encourage the
client to discuss the reason behind staying at home.
An older adult client with Parkinson disease uses a walker, speaks in a slurred manner with poor
ar�cula�on, but tries to speak louder to accommodate for this impairment. The client states, "I catch my
