,NU 150 EXAM 4 Pharmacology Questions And Answers 2026/2027
Galen College
Q1. Parkinson disease is primarily associated with a deficiency of
which neurotransmitter in specific areas of the brain?
A) Dopamine
B) Serotonin
C) Acetylcholine
D) GABA
Correct Answer: A) Dopamine
Rationale: Parkinson disease involves degeneration of dopaminergic
neurons, particularly in the substantia nigra, resulting in reduced dopamine
activity.
Q2. Which medication is converted to dopamine after entering the
brain and is a major therapy for Parkinson disease?
A) Levodopa
B) Benztropine
C) Amantadine
D) Entacapone
Correct Answer: A) Levodopa
Rationale: Levodopa crosses the blood-brain barrier and is converted into
dopamine within the central nervous system.
Q3. Why is carbidopa combined with levodopa?
A) It increases dopamine breakdown in the brain
B) It inhibits peripheral conversion of levodopa, allowing more to reach the
brain
C) It prevents levodopa from entering the brain
D) It directly replaces acetylcholine
Correct Answer: B) It inhibits peripheral conversion of levodopa,
allowing more to reach the brain
Rationale: Carbidopa inhibits peripheral dopa decarboxylase, reducing
peripheral conversion of levodopa to dopamine and allowing more levodopa
to reach the CNS.
Q4. Levodopa/carbidopa is commonly marketed under which name?
,A) Sinemet
B) Dilantin
C) Aricept
D) Depakote
Correct Answer: A) Sinemet
Rationale: Sinemet is a combination of levodopa and carbidopa used to
improve motor symptoms of Parkinson disease.
Q5. Which statement by a patient taking levodopa/carbidopa
requires further teaching?
A) “I should take the medication exactly as prescribed.”
B) “I should tell my provider about troublesome involuntary movements.”
C) “I should take it with a very high-protein meal every time.”
D) “I may experience dizziness.”
Correct Answer: C) “I should take it with a very high-protein meal
every time.”
Rationale: Large amounts of dietary protein can compete with levodopa for
intestinal absorption and transport into the CNS, potentially reducing its
effectiveness.
Q6. Which adverse effect is associated with levodopa therapy?
A) Dyskinesias
B) Severe hypoglycemia
C) Gingival hyperplasia
D) Urinary retention in every patient
Correct Answer: A) Dyskinesias
Rationale: Long-term levodopa therapy can produce abnormal involuntary
movements, including choreiform and dystonic movements.
Q7. Which finding is an example of a choreiform movement?
A) Involuntary, irregular movements of the limbs or face
B) Complete muscle paralysis
C) Fixed joint contracture
D) Absence of reflexes
Correct Answer: A) Involuntary, irregular movements of the limbs or
face
, Rationale: Choreiform movements are involuntary, irregular, rapid
movements that may affect the face or extremities.
Q8. Which finding is characteristic of dystonia?
A) Sustained muscle spasms or abnormal posturing
B) Excessive urination
C) Decreased appetite
D) Loss of hearing
Correct Answer: A) Sustained muscle spasms or abnormal posturing
Rationale: Dystonia involves involuntary sustained muscle contractions that
can produce abnormal postures or spasms.
Q9. Which medication is an anticholinergic that may be used to treat
tremor and rigidity associated with Parkinson disease?
A) Benztropine
B) Levodopa
C) Entacapone
D) Carbidopa
Correct Answer: A) Benztropine
Rationale: Benztropine reduces cholinergic activity and can help manage
tremor and rigidity in Parkinson disease.
Q10. Which patient should use benztropine cautiously?
A) Patient with narrow-angle glaucoma
B) Patient with mild anemia
C) Patient with seasonal allergies
D) Patient with stable hypothyroidism
Correct Answer: A) Patient with narrow-angle glaucoma
Rationale: Anticholinergic effects can increase intraocular pressure and
worsen narrow-angle glaucoma.
Q11. Which adverse effect is associated with anticholinergic
antiparkinson drugs?
A) Dry mouth
B) Excessive salivation
C) Diarrhea
D) Bradycardia
Galen College
Q1. Parkinson disease is primarily associated with a deficiency of
which neurotransmitter in specific areas of the brain?
A) Dopamine
B) Serotonin
C) Acetylcholine
D) GABA
Correct Answer: A) Dopamine
Rationale: Parkinson disease involves degeneration of dopaminergic
neurons, particularly in the substantia nigra, resulting in reduced dopamine
activity.
Q2. Which medication is converted to dopamine after entering the
brain and is a major therapy for Parkinson disease?
A) Levodopa
B) Benztropine
C) Amantadine
D) Entacapone
Correct Answer: A) Levodopa
Rationale: Levodopa crosses the blood-brain barrier and is converted into
dopamine within the central nervous system.
Q3. Why is carbidopa combined with levodopa?
A) It increases dopamine breakdown in the brain
B) It inhibits peripheral conversion of levodopa, allowing more to reach the
brain
C) It prevents levodopa from entering the brain
D) It directly replaces acetylcholine
Correct Answer: B) It inhibits peripheral conversion of levodopa,
allowing more to reach the brain
Rationale: Carbidopa inhibits peripheral dopa decarboxylase, reducing
peripheral conversion of levodopa to dopamine and allowing more levodopa
to reach the CNS.
Q4. Levodopa/carbidopa is commonly marketed under which name?
,A) Sinemet
B) Dilantin
C) Aricept
D) Depakote
Correct Answer: A) Sinemet
Rationale: Sinemet is a combination of levodopa and carbidopa used to
improve motor symptoms of Parkinson disease.
Q5. Which statement by a patient taking levodopa/carbidopa
requires further teaching?
A) “I should take the medication exactly as prescribed.”
B) “I should tell my provider about troublesome involuntary movements.”
C) “I should take it with a very high-protein meal every time.”
D) “I may experience dizziness.”
Correct Answer: C) “I should take it with a very high-protein meal
every time.”
Rationale: Large amounts of dietary protein can compete with levodopa for
intestinal absorption and transport into the CNS, potentially reducing its
effectiveness.
Q6. Which adverse effect is associated with levodopa therapy?
A) Dyskinesias
B) Severe hypoglycemia
C) Gingival hyperplasia
D) Urinary retention in every patient
Correct Answer: A) Dyskinesias
Rationale: Long-term levodopa therapy can produce abnormal involuntary
movements, including choreiform and dystonic movements.
Q7. Which finding is an example of a choreiform movement?
A) Involuntary, irregular movements of the limbs or face
B) Complete muscle paralysis
C) Fixed joint contracture
D) Absence of reflexes
Correct Answer: A) Involuntary, irregular movements of the limbs or
face
, Rationale: Choreiform movements are involuntary, irregular, rapid
movements that may affect the face or extremities.
Q8. Which finding is characteristic of dystonia?
A) Sustained muscle spasms or abnormal posturing
B) Excessive urination
C) Decreased appetite
D) Loss of hearing
Correct Answer: A) Sustained muscle spasms or abnormal posturing
Rationale: Dystonia involves involuntary sustained muscle contractions that
can produce abnormal postures or spasms.
Q9. Which medication is an anticholinergic that may be used to treat
tremor and rigidity associated with Parkinson disease?
A) Benztropine
B) Levodopa
C) Entacapone
D) Carbidopa
Correct Answer: A) Benztropine
Rationale: Benztropine reduces cholinergic activity and can help manage
tremor and rigidity in Parkinson disease.
Q10. Which patient should use benztropine cautiously?
A) Patient with narrow-angle glaucoma
B) Patient with mild anemia
C) Patient with seasonal allergies
D) Patient with stable hypothyroidism
Correct Answer: A) Patient with narrow-angle glaucoma
Rationale: Anticholinergic effects can increase intraocular pressure and
worsen narrow-angle glaucoma.
Q11. Which adverse effect is associated with anticholinergic
antiparkinson drugs?
A) Dry mouth
B) Excessive salivation
C) Diarrhea
D) Bradycardia
