A patient has a new prescription for bromocriptine mesylate to control symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Which of the following information obtained by the nurse may indicate a need for a decrease in the dose?
- A. The patient has a persistent dry cough.
- B. The patient has four loose stools in a day.
- C. The patient develops a deep vein thrombosis.
- D. The patient's blood pressure is 90/46 mm Hg.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hypotension is an adverse effect of bromocriptine mesylate, and the nurse should check with the health care provider before giving the medication. Diarrhea, cough, and deep vein thrombosis are not associated with bromocriptine mesylate use.
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The nurse assesses a patient in the health clinic who has symptoms of a stooped posture, shuffling gait, and pill rolling-type tremor. Which of the following prescriptions would the nurse anticipate?
- A. Oral corticosteroids
- B. Antiparkinsonian drugs
- C. Electroencephalogram (EEG) testing
- D. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The diagnosis of Parkinson's is made when two of the three characteristic signs of tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia are present. The confirmation of the diagnosis is made on the basis of improvement when antiparkinsonian drugs are administered. This patient has symptoms of tremor and bradykinesia; the next anticipated step will be treatment with medications. MRI and EEG are not useful in diagnosing Parkinson's disease, and corticosteroid therapy is not used to treat it.
Which of the following parameters should the nurse assess when caring for a patient who is experiencing a cluster headache?
- A. Nuchal rigidity
- B. Projectile vomiting
- C. Unilateral eyelid swelling
- D. Throbbing, bilateral facial pain
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Unilateral eye edema, tearing, and ptosis are characteristic of cluster headaches. Nuchal rigidity suggests meningeal irritation, such as occurs with meningitis. Although nausea and vomiting may occur with migraine headaches, projectile vomiting is more consistent with increases in intracranial pressure (ICP). Unilateral sharp, stabbing pain, rather than throbbing pain, is characteristic of cluster headaches.
The nurse is caring for a patient with epilepsy. Which of the following laboratory results should the nurse expect?
- A. Increased blood glucose
- B. Decreased BUN
- C. Increased creatinine
- D. Decreased liver function tests
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The blood work results of a patient with epilepsy would show an increased creatinine level. The other results that would be expected are a decreased blood glucose level, increased BUN, and increased liver function tests.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is diagnosed with early Huntington's disease (HD). Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching plan for the patient, partner, and children?
- A. Use of levodopa-carbidopa to help reduce HD symptoms
- B. Need to take prophylactic antibiotics to decrease the risk for pneumonia.
- C. Lifestyle changes such as increased exercise that delay disease progression.
- D. Availability of genetic testing to determine the HD risk for the patient's children.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Genetic testing is available to determine whether an asymptomatic individual has the HD gene. The patient and family should be informed of the benefits and problems associated with genetic testing. Sinemet will increase symptoms of HD given that HD involves an increase in dopamine. Antibiotic therapy will not reduce the risk for aspiration. There are no effective treatments or lifestyle changes that delay the progression of symptoms in HD.
The nurse is preparing to admit a patient who has been treated for status epilepticus in the emergency department. Which of the following equipment should the nurse have available in the room? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Side rail pads
- B. Tongue blade
- C. Oxygen mask
- D. Suction tubing
- E. Nasogastric tube
Correct Answer: A,C,D
Rationale: The patient is at risk for further seizures, and oxygen and suctioning may be needed after any seizures to clear the airway and maximize oxygenation. The bed's side rails should be padded to minimize the risk for patient injury during a seizure. Insertion of a nasogastric (NG) tube is not indicated because the airway problem is not caused by vomiting or abdominal distention. Use of tongue blades during a seizure is contraindicated.
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