Author Question: A patient who has parkinsonism will begin taking carbidopa-levodopa. What information will the nurse ... (Read 54 times)

joblessjake · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient who has parkinsonism will begin taking carbidopa-levodopa. What information will the nurse include when teaching this patient about this medication?

a. Call your health care provider immediately if your urine or perspiration turn a dark color.
b. Rise slowly from your bed or your chair to avoid dizziness and falls.
c. Take the drug with foods high in protein to improve drug delivery.
d. Discontinue the drug if you experience insomnia.

Question 2

A patient who has parkinsonism will begin taking selegiline HCl (Eldepryl) to treat symptoms. What information will the nurse include when teaching this patient about this drug?

a. Avoid consuming foods that are high in tyramine.
b. This drug will prevent the need to take levodopa.
c. You may have red wine with dinner on occasion.
d. You will not have serious drug interactions with this drug.

macmac · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Carbidopa-levodopa can cause orthostatic hypotension, so patients should be taught to take care when getting out of bed or a chair. Darkening of the urine and perspiration is a harmless side effect. Patients should take the drug with low-protein foods to improve drug transport to the CNS. Carbidopa-levodopa should not be discontinued abruptly because rebound parkinsonism may occur; insomnia is an expected adverse effect of the drug, and the patient should report this effect to his or her health care provider.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Selegiline (Eldepryl) inhibits monoamine oxidase-B, and it has similar adverse reactions to other monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Patients should be cautioned against consuming foods containing tyramine because of the risk of hypertensive crisis. Red wine is high in tyramine. Use of this drug may delay, but will not prevent, the need for levodopa. Severe adverse drug interactions may occur between this drug and tricyclic antidepressants.