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NU 578 STUDY GUIDE 2 AND UNIT 2
COMBINED EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS.
Cardinal symptoms of pd (motor) - correct answer -tremors,
rigidity, postural insatbility, slowed movement
Non-motor symtoms of pd - correct answer -autonomic
disturbances, sleep disturbances, depression, psychosis,
dementia
What symptoms might show up years before functional
impairment of pd? - correct answer -loss of smell, excessive
salivation, clumsiness of hands, worsening handwriting,
bothersome tremor, slower gait, reduced voice volume
When do symptoms of pd appear? - correct answer -middle age
with relentless progression
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What is the underlying cause of motor symptoms? - correct
answer -loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
What is the most effective drug for pd? - correct answer -
levodopa, given in combination with carbidopa
What happens when neurodegeneration progresses? - correct
answer -levodopa eventually becomes ineffective
Striatum, extrapyramidal component - correct answer -primary
site of disruptreion of neurotransmission.
2 neurotransmitters in the striatum that are needed for proper
functioning - correct answer -balance of dopamine and
acetylcholine
What causes the imbalance in dopamine and acetylcholine in the
striatum? - correct answer -degeneration of the neurons that
supply the dopamine
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Therapeutic goal of motor symptom management - correct
answer -improve the pt's ability to carry out adls (since
reversibility and halting of degeneration are not possible)
How are drugs chosen for pt? - correct answer -by the extent to
which the symptoms affect work, walking, dressing, eating,
bathing etc.
What are the primary benefits of drug therapy? - correct answer -
improvement of bradykinesia, gait disturbances, and postural
stability
What 2 drugs classes help restore the balance between
dopamine and acetylcholine? - correct answer -dopaminergic
agents (directly or indirectly cause activation of dopamine
receptors) and anticholinergic agents (block receptors for ach)
First treatment for mild symptoms of pd - correct answer -
selegiline, an mao-b inhibitor. Also rasagiline, another mao-b
inhibitor may work as well
NU 578 STUDY GUIDE 2 AND UNIT 2
COMBINED EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS.
Cardinal symptoms of pd (motor) - correct answer -tremors,
rigidity, postural insatbility, slowed movement
Non-motor symtoms of pd - correct answer -autonomic
disturbances, sleep disturbances, depression, psychosis,
dementia
What symptoms might show up years before functional
impairment of pd? - correct answer -loss of smell, excessive
salivation, clumsiness of hands, worsening handwriting,
bothersome tremor, slower gait, reduced voice volume
When do symptoms of pd appear? - correct answer -middle age
with relentless progression
, Page | 2
What is the underlying cause of motor symptoms? - correct
answer -loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
What is the most effective drug for pd? - correct answer -
levodopa, given in combination with carbidopa
What happens when neurodegeneration progresses? - correct
answer -levodopa eventually becomes ineffective
Striatum, extrapyramidal component - correct answer -primary
site of disruptreion of neurotransmission.
2 neurotransmitters in the striatum that are needed for proper
functioning - correct answer -balance of dopamine and
acetylcholine
What causes the imbalance in dopamine and acetylcholine in the
striatum? - correct answer -degeneration of the neurons that
supply the dopamine
, Page | 3
Therapeutic goal of motor symptom management - correct
answer -improve the pt's ability to carry out adls (since
reversibility and halting of degeneration are not possible)
How are drugs chosen for pt? - correct answer -by the extent to
which the symptoms affect work, walking, dressing, eating,
bathing etc.
What are the primary benefits of drug therapy? - correct answer -
improvement of bradykinesia, gait disturbances, and postural
stability
What 2 drugs classes help restore the balance between
dopamine and acetylcholine? - correct answer -dopaminergic
agents (directly or indirectly cause activation of dopamine
receptors) and anticholinergic agents (block receptors for ach)
First treatment for mild symptoms of pd - correct answer -
selegiline, an mao-b inhibitor. Also rasagiline, another mao-b
inhibitor may work as well
