A 71-year-old patient has taken levodopa for Parkinson's disease for 2 weeks but reports no improvement in the symptoms. Select the nurse's best response.
1. Stop the drug. If it has not been effective in 2 weeks, it is not likely to be beneficial.
2. It may take several months for a response to occur. Continue the medication as prescribed.
3. Double the dose to see if an effect will occur. Finding the correct dose takes many adjustments.
4. Another agent will need to be added to the regimen now in order to manage your symptoms.
Question 2
A nurse is trying to evaluate understanding of dopamine agonists in a nursing student caring for a patient with Parkinson's disease.
Which statement made by the student best demonstrates an understanding of the use of dopamine agonists in Parkinson's disease?
a. Dopamine agonists are more effective than levodopa (Dopar).
b. Dopamine agonists compete with dietary proteins in the intestines.
c. Dopamine agonists are more likely to cause permanent and disabling dyskinesias.
d. Non-ergot derivatives cause fewer side effects than ergot derivatives such as bromocriptine (Parlodel).
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