ATI Medical Surgical Proctored Exam Related

Review ATI Medical Surgical Proctored Exam related questions and content

A client with Parkinson's disease is prescribed carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet). What should the nurse include in the teaching about this medication?

  • A. Take the medication without a high-protein meal.
  • B. Expect the medication to take several weeks to reach full effectiveness.
  • C. The medication may cause urine to turn light.
  • D. You may experience a rapid heartbeat as a common side effect.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Expect the medication to take several weeks to reach full effectiveness. This is because carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet) is a medication used to treat Parkinson's disease by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. It takes time for the medication to build up in the system and reach its full therapeutic effect.

Choice A is incorrect because it is recommended to take carbidopa-levodopa with a high-protein meal to help reduce potential gastrointestinal side effects. Choice C is incorrect as the medication does not typically cause urine discoloration. Choice D is incorrect as a rapid heartbeat is not a common side effect of carbidopa-levodopa.

In summary, choice B is correct because it aligns with the pharmacokinetics of the medication, while the other choices are not consistent with the usual effects and recommendations for carbidopa-levodopa.