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A patient who was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease several months ago recently began treatment with levodopa-carbidopa. The patient and his family are excited that he has experienced significant symptom relief. The nurse should be aware of what implication of the patients medication regimen?
- A. The patient is in a honeymoon period when adverse effects of levodopa-carbidopa are not yet evident.
- B. Benefits of levodopa-carbidopa do not peak until 6 to 9 months after the initiation of treatment.
- C. The patients temporary improvement in status is likely unrelated to levodopa-carbidopa.
- D. Benefits of levodopa-carbidopa often diminish after 1 or 2 years of treatment.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Levodopa-carbidopa benefits peak early but often wane after 1-2 years, with increasing side effects. There is no defined honeymoon period, and improvement is drug-related.
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The nurse is caring for a patient who is scheduled for a cervical discectomy the following day. During health education, the patient should be made aware of what potential complications?
- A. Vertebral fracture
- B. Hematoma at the surgical site
- C. Scoliosis
- D. Renal trauma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hematoma at the surgical site is a key complication of cervical diskectomy, risking cord compression. Fractures, scoliosis, or renal trauma are not typical risks.
A male patient with a metastatic brain tumor is having a generalized seizure and begins vomiting. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Perform oral suctioning.
- B. Page the physician.
- C. Insert a tongue depressor into the patients mouth.
- D. Turn the patient on his side.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Turning the patient on their side prevents aspiration of vomit during a seizure. Tongue depressors are contraindicated, and suctioning or paging the physician are secondary actions.
A male patient presents at the free clinic with complaints of impotency. Upon physical examination, the nurse practitioner notes the presence of hypogonadism. What diagnosis should the nurse suspect?
- A. Prolactinoma
- B. Angioma
- C. Glioma
- D. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-producing adenoma
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Prolactinoma often causes impotence and hypogonadism in males due to prolactin excess. ACTH-producing adenomas cause different symptoms, and angiomas or gliomas are less likely.
A family member of a patient diagnosed with Huntington disease calls you at the clinic. She is requesting help from the Huntingtons Disease Society of America. What kind of help can this patient and family receive from this organization? Select all that apply.
- A. Information about this disease
- B. Referrals
- C. Public education
- D. Individual assessments
- E. Appraisals of research studies
Correct Answer: A,B,C
Rationale: The Huntington's Disease Society of America provides information, referrals, and public education. It does not offer individual assessments or research appraisals.
A 37-year-old man is brought to the clinic by his wife because he is experiencing loss of motor function and sensation. The physician suspects the patient has a spinal cord tumor and hospitalizes him for diagnostic testing. In light of the need to diagnose spinal cord compression from a tumor, the nurse will most likely prepare the patient for what test?
- A. Anterior-posterior x-ray
- B. Ultrasound
- C. Lumbar puncture
- D. MRI
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: MRI is the most sensitive test for detecting spinal cord compression from tumors. X-rays, ultrasound, and lumbar puncture are less effective for this diagnosis.