Chapter 20- Degenerative Diseases Of Nervous System

Question 1

What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 1

• tremors
• muscle rigidity
• bradykinesia
• postural instability
• affective flattening

Question 2

Symptoms of Parkinson’s develop because of….

Answer 2

Degeneration and destruction of dopamine-producing neurons found within an area of the brain known as the SUBSTANTIA NIGRA
-under normal circumstances, neurons in the substantia nigra supply dopamine to the corpus striatum (region that controls unconscious muscle movement)

Question 3

Proper balance of ACh and dopamine are needed in order to ensure balance, posture, muscle tone, and involuntary muscle movement. If dopamine is absent, Ach has a more dramatic stimulatory effect. For this reason, drug therapy Parkinson’s disease focuses on…

Answer 3

• Restoring dopamine function

- blocking effect of Ach within corpus striatum

Question 4

Role of the nurse in dopaminergic drug therapy

• contraindications
• monitor…

Answer 4

• contraindicated in narrow angle glaucoma
• monitor for hypotension and tachycardia
• look for symptoms of drug toxicity

Question 5

Dopaminergic drug examples

Answer 5

• larodopa

- sinemet

Question 6

Dopaminergic agents mechanism of action and prototype drug

Answer 6

Prototype drug- larodopa

-increases biosynthesis of dopamine within nerve terminals

Question 7

Adverse effects of dopaminergic drugs

Answer 7

• Dizziness
• light-headedness
• sleep dysfunction
• fatigue
• nausea
• vomiting
• constipation
• orthostatic hypertension
• dystonia
• dyskinesia

Question 8

Client teaching while taking dopaminergics

Answer 8

• increase fiber and fluids
• avoid food and drugs high in pyridoxine
• may take several months for full effect
• do not abruptly stop drug