ATI Neurological System (Part 1)
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,TOPIC 1: PARKINSON'S DISEASE DRUGS (Questions 1-12)
Question 1
A nurse is teaching a client who is taking levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet) to treat Parkinson's
disease. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Expect eye twitching to develop with long-term therapy."
B. "Eat a high-protein snack to increase absorption."
C. "Take the medication at bedtime to avoid daytime drowsiness."
D. "Change position slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Levodopa/carbidopa can cause orthostatic hypotension. Clients should change
positions slowly from sitting or lying to standing to prevent dizziness and falls. Eye twitching
(A) may indicate medication toxicity and should be reported, not expected. High-protein foods
(B) can reduce the effectiveness of levodopa/carbidopa. The medication is typically taken in
divided doses during the day, not at bedtime (C).
Question 2
A healthcare professional is caring for a patient who is about to begin taking pramipexole
,(Mirapex) to treat Parkinson's disease. The healthcare professional should recognize that
which of the following laboratory tests requires monitoring?
A. Liver function tests
B. Serum potassium
C. Creatine phosphokinase (CPK)
D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pramipexole, a dopamine agonist, can cause muscle weakness and potential
skeletal muscle damage. Monitoring CPK levels helps detect muscle injury. Liver function tests
(A) are monitored for dantrolene. Serum potassium (B) and BUN (D) are not specifically
required for pramipexole therapy.
Question 3
A patient is taking selegiline (Eldepryl) to treat Parkinson's disease. The provider is
considering the use of analgesics for the patient but should be aware that a drug interaction
between selegiline and meperidine (Demerol) can result in which of the following?
A. Respiratory depression
B. Muscle rigidity
C. Hypotension
D. Sedation
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A drug interaction between selegiline (an MAO-B inhibitor) and meperidine can
result in a serious reaction including rigidity, stupor, agitation, hypertension, and fever. This
combination should be avoided. Respiratory depression (A), hypotension (C), and sedation (D)
are not the primary concerns with this specific interaction.
Question 4
A healthcare professional is caring for a patient about to begin taking levodopa/carbidopa.
Which of the following should the healthcare professional include when discussing adverse
effects?
A. "You may experience diarrhea."
B. "You may notice your urine turning a dark color."
C. "You may develop a dry mouth."
D. "You may have difficulty sleeping."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Levodopa/carbidopa can cause darkening of urine (reddish-brown or black), sweat,
and saliva. This is harmless but clients should be warned to prevent alarm. Diarrhea (A) is
Pharmacology Made Easy
Comprehensive 50-Question Test Bank
Latest 2025/2026 | Detailed Rationales |
100% Correct Answers
,TOPIC 1: PARKINSON'S DISEASE DRUGS (Questions 1-12)
Question 1
A nurse is teaching a client who is taking levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet) to treat Parkinson's
disease. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Expect eye twitching to develop with long-term therapy."
B. "Eat a high-protein snack to increase absorption."
C. "Take the medication at bedtime to avoid daytime drowsiness."
D. "Change position slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Levodopa/carbidopa can cause orthostatic hypotension. Clients should change
positions slowly from sitting or lying to standing to prevent dizziness and falls. Eye twitching
(A) may indicate medication toxicity and should be reported, not expected. High-protein foods
(B) can reduce the effectiveness of levodopa/carbidopa. The medication is typically taken in
divided doses during the day, not at bedtime (C).
Question 2
A healthcare professional is caring for a patient who is about to begin taking pramipexole
,(Mirapex) to treat Parkinson's disease. The healthcare professional should recognize that
which of the following laboratory tests requires monitoring?
A. Liver function tests
B. Serum potassium
C. Creatine phosphokinase (CPK)
D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pramipexole, a dopamine agonist, can cause muscle weakness and potential
skeletal muscle damage. Monitoring CPK levels helps detect muscle injury. Liver function tests
(A) are monitored for dantrolene. Serum potassium (B) and BUN (D) are not specifically
required for pramipexole therapy.
Question 3
A patient is taking selegiline (Eldepryl) to treat Parkinson's disease. The provider is
considering the use of analgesics for the patient but should be aware that a drug interaction
between selegiline and meperidine (Demerol) can result in which of the following?
A. Respiratory depression
B. Muscle rigidity
C. Hypotension
D. Sedation
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A drug interaction between selegiline (an MAO-B inhibitor) and meperidine can
result in a serious reaction including rigidity, stupor, agitation, hypertension, and fever. This
combination should be avoided. Respiratory depression (A), hypotension (C), and sedation (D)
are not the primary concerns with this specific interaction.
Question 4
A healthcare professional is caring for a patient about to begin taking levodopa/carbidopa.
Which of the following should the healthcare professional include when discussing adverse
effects?
A. "You may experience diarrhea."
B. "You may notice your urine turning a dark color."
C. "You may develop a dry mouth."
D. "You may have difficulty sleeping."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Levodopa/carbidopa can cause darkening of urine (reddish-brown or black), sweat,
and saliva. This is harmless but clients should be warned to prevent alarm. Diarrhea (A) is
