PD & MS - NUR 4271 Exam Questions And Correct Answers
What is parkinson's disease? (PD) - ANSWER progressive neurodegenerative condition
- degeneration of substantia nigra --> decrease in dopamine
- if dopamine is depleted by 20-30% symptoms occur
which population is affected by PD the most? - ANSWER elderly men
what are early signs of PD? - ANSWER - unilateral tremors
- slower movement
- some rigidity/freezing
- loss of balance
what are late signs of PD? - ANSWER - shuffling gait (eventually unable to walk)
- difficulty swallowing/speaking
- impaired cognition
what are 2 questions that we must always ask any patient??? - ANSWER 1. What is your
past medical history/family medical history?
2. What medications are you currently taking?
What are the 4 classic signs of PD? - ANSWER 1. resting tremor
2. muscle rigidity
3. bradykinesia/akinesia
, 4. postural instability
What are the expected labs/diagnostic tests for PD? - ANSWER - SPECT/CAT scan
- MRI
- Neuro exam/ Hx.
- medication trial (supplement dopamine)
- possible spinal tap (look for low levels of dopamine)
What is Levodopa/Carbidopa (Sinemet)? What does it do? - ANSWER Dopamine Agonist
- levo is the dopamine agonist
- carbi protects levo from being broken down before entering the brain
CARbidopa is the CAR for levo!
What are some NIs for Levo/Carbi? - ANSWER - assess HR and BP
- have patient slowly change positions
- monitor hepatic/renal fxn
- DONT eat within 1.5hrs of meals (B6 and iron interactions)
- sleepiness = try selegiline to decrease levels of levo/carbi and enhance it instead
What are some SEs for Levo/Carbi? - ANSWER - N/V
- loss of appetite
- light headedness
- hypotension
- confusion
- sleepiness
What is parkinson's disease? (PD) - ANSWER progressive neurodegenerative condition
- degeneration of substantia nigra --> decrease in dopamine
- if dopamine is depleted by 20-30% symptoms occur
which population is affected by PD the most? - ANSWER elderly men
what are early signs of PD? - ANSWER - unilateral tremors
- slower movement
- some rigidity/freezing
- loss of balance
what are late signs of PD? - ANSWER - shuffling gait (eventually unable to walk)
- difficulty swallowing/speaking
- impaired cognition
what are 2 questions that we must always ask any patient??? - ANSWER 1. What is your
past medical history/family medical history?
2. What medications are you currently taking?
What are the 4 classic signs of PD? - ANSWER 1. resting tremor
2. muscle rigidity
3. bradykinesia/akinesia
, 4. postural instability
What are the expected labs/diagnostic tests for PD? - ANSWER - SPECT/CAT scan
- MRI
- Neuro exam/ Hx.
- medication trial (supplement dopamine)
- possible spinal tap (look for low levels of dopamine)
What is Levodopa/Carbidopa (Sinemet)? What does it do? - ANSWER Dopamine Agonist
- levo is the dopamine agonist
- carbi protects levo from being broken down before entering the brain
CARbidopa is the CAR for levo!
What are some NIs for Levo/Carbi? - ANSWER - assess HR and BP
- have patient slowly change positions
- monitor hepatic/renal fxn
- DONT eat within 1.5hrs of meals (B6 and iron interactions)
- sleepiness = try selegiline to decrease levels of levo/carbi and enhance it instead
What are some SEs for Levo/Carbi? - ANSWER - N/V
- loss of appetite
- light headedness
- hypotension
- confusion
- sleepiness
