A patient has been given a prescription for
levodopa-carbidopa (Sinemet) for her newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease. She asks the nurse, Why are there two drugs in this pill? The nurse's best response reflects which fact?
a. Carbidopa allows for larger doses of levodopa to be given.
b. Carbidopa prevents the breakdown of levodopa in the periphery.
c. There are concerns about drug-food interactions with levodopa therapy that do not exist with the combination therapy.
d. Carbidopa is the biologic precursor of dopamine and can penetrate into the central nervous system.
Question 2
A patient is taking gabapentin (Neurontin), and the nurse notes that there is no history of seizures on his medical record. What is the best possible rationale for this medication order?
a. The medication is used for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
b. The medication is helpful for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
c. The medication is used to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
d. The medical record is missing the correct information about the patient's history of seizures.
Nurse-patient interaction; nonverbal communication
Positioning the Patient in the Fowler’s Position
ROM exercises on a patient’s wrist: radial deviation.
Instructing a Patient to Use Crutches Correctly
Dopamine cannot cross the blood–brain barrier. Levodopa, its precursor, can. Once levodopa crosses ...
Example of a Physician’s Prescription