Roach's Introductory Clinical Pharmacology 11th Edition - Antiparkinson Drugs Related

Review Roach's Introductory Clinical Pharmacology 11th Edition - Antiparkinson Drugs related questions and content

A nurse is caring for a 70-year-old client undergoing antiparkinsonism drug therapy. The client is prescribed pramipexole by the physician. The nurse should monitor the client's condition for the development of which of the following adverse reactions associated with the use of this drug?

  • A. Blurred vision
  • B. Memory loss
  • C. Visual hallucinations
  • D. Muscular rigidity
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The nurse should monitor the elderly client who is administered a dopamine receptor antagonist for signs of visual, auditory, or tactile hallucinations. Hallucinations occur more often in older adults than in younger adults receiving the antiparkinsonism drugs, especially when taking the dopamine receptor agonists. The incidence of hallucinations appears to increase with age. The nurse need not monitor the clients condition for signs of blurred vision, memory loss, and muscular rigidity as these conditions are not known to occur in elderly clients due to the use of dopamine receptor agonists.