Parkinson's Flashcards
A nurse is caring for a client who displays manifestations of stage III Parkinson’s disease. Which of the following actions should the nurse include?
A. Recommend a community support group.
B. Integrate a daily exercise routine.
C. Provide a walker for ambulation.
D. Perform ADLs for the client.
C. CORRECT: The client should use a walker for ambulation in stage III of Parkinson’s disease because movement slows down significantly and gait disturbances occur.
A nurse is developing a plan of care for the nutritional needs of a client who has stage IV Parkinson’s disease. Which of the following actions should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
A. Provide three large balanced meals daily.
B. Record diet and fluid intake daily.
C. Document weight every other week.
D. Offer cold fluids such as milkshakes.
E. Offer nutritional supplements between meals.
B. CORRECT: Record the client’s diet and fluid intake daily to assess for dietary needs and to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration.
D. CORRECT: Provide cold fluids such as milkshakes. Thick and cold fluids are tolerated easier by the client.
E. CORRECT: Offer nutritional supplements between meals to maintain the client’s weight.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has Parkinson’s disease and has a new prescription for bromocriptine. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Rise slowly when standing.
B. Expect urine to become dark‑colored.
C. Avoid foods containing tyramine.
D. Report any skin discoloration
A. CORRECT: Orthostatic hypotension is a common adverse effect of bromocriptine, a dopamine receptor agonist. Therefore, rising slowly when standing up will decrease the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness.
A nurse is assessing a client for manifestations of Parkinson’s disease. Which of the following are expected findings? (Select all that apply.)
A. Decreased vision
B. Pill‑rolling tremor of the fingers
C. Shuffling gait
D. Drooling
E. Bilateral ankle edema
F. Lack of facial expression
B. CORRECT: The client who has PD can manifest pill‑rolling tremors of the fingers due to overstimulation of the basal ganglia by acetylcholine, making controlled movement difficult.
C. CORRECT: The client who has PD can manifest shuffling gait because of overstimulation of the basal ganglia by acetylcholine, making controlled movement difficult.
D. CORRECT: The client who has PD can manifest drooling because of overstimulation of the basal ganglia by acetylcholine, making the controlled movement of swallowing secretions difficult.
F. CORRECT: The client who has PD can manifest a lack of facial expressions due to overstimulation of the basal ganglia by acetylcholine, making controlled movement difficult.
A nurse is caring for a client who has Parkinson’s disease and is starting to display bradykinesia. Which of the following is an appropriate action by the nurse?
A. Teach the client to walk more quickly when ambulating.
B. Complete passive range‑of‑motion exercises daily.
C. Place the client on a low‑protein, low‑calorie diet.
D. Give the client extra time to perform activities.
D. CORRECT: Bradykinesia is abnormally slowed movement and is seen in clients who have PD. The client should be given extra time to perform activities and should be encouraged to remain active.
A client with Parkinson’s disease is observed coughing numerous times while eating breakfast. Which priority action may help with the coughing while eating?
A) Offer thickened liquids with each meal
B) Offer a clear liquid diet until coughing subsides
C) Administer a cough suppressant if the cough is unproductive
D) Explain that swallowing difficulty is a part of the disease and to eat with chin to chest
A) Offer thickened liquids with each meal
A feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is swallowing difficulty with aspiration risks. The risk of aspiration is higher with thin liquids than it is with thickened liquids.
This answer is correct because the risk of aspiration is higher with thin liquids than it is with thickened liquids. Since clients with PD have swallowing difficulties, offering thickened liquids with each meal will reduce the risk for aspiration.
A client with Parkinson’s disease is prescribed carbidopa-levodopa. What is the most important complication to monitor during the initial phase of medication adjustment?
A) Jaundice
B) Vital signs
C) Glucose
D) Monitor for weight gain
B) Vital signs
A client with Parkinson’s disease is prescribed carbidopa-levodopa. What is the most important complication to monitor during the initial phase of medication adjustment?
This answer is correct because vital signs should be monitored when adjusting to the medication since orthostatic hypotension may occur with dizziness, cardiac arrhythmia, and palpitations. Dopamine agonists reduce blood pressure. Risk of postural hypotension increases with carbidopa levodopa.
The nurse is caring for a client with Parkinson’s disease and prioritizes which intervention in the plan of care?
A) Instruct the client to eat foods high in phosphorus which helps with mental clarity
B) Place client on bedpan every 3 hours to establish voiding
C) Elevate client’s legs when sitting to avoid edema
D) Use armless chair to increase leg strength when getting up
C) Elevate client’s legs when sitting to avoid edema
Slowness and mobility alterations found in PD may predispose the client for increased edema. Elevation of the legs is important to decrease edema.
This answer is correct because in Parkinson’s disease (PD), there is decline in movement which makes the client at more risk of fluid build up. Slowness and mobility alterations found in PD may predispose the client for increased edema. Elevation of the legs is important to decrease edema.
An elderly client is being assessed in the clinic. The client voices concern that Parkinson’s disease may be happening. What assessment will the nurse determine to be one of the first signs of onset of Parkinson’s disease?
A) Resting tremor
B) Cogwheel rigidity
C) Akinesia
D) Bradykinesia
A) Resting tremor
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system. The first sign of Parkinson’s disease is a resting tremor.
This answer is correct because tremor is one of the first signs of Parkinson’s disease. Clients may notice tremors first since they might occur at rest; however, some may be manageable and minimal.
The nurse and rehabilitation disciplines are collaborating on the care for a client with Parkinson’s disease. Which collaborative goal is the most appropriate for the client with Parkinson’s disease?
A) To stop the progression of the disease
B) To cure the disease
C) To establish palliative care
D) To maintain optimal body function
D) To maintain optimal body function
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system which affects muscle movement including weakness stiffness, balance issues and tremors. Maintaining optimal body function is an important part of human function in general and will allow for participation in activities of daily living.
This answer is correct because the primary goal is to maintain optimal body function for all disciplines involved in the care of the client. Joint flexibility, muscle strength, understanding and taking medications correctly, and maintaining independence as much as possible in a safe environment is important.
