Author Question: A patient is newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. An anticholinergic drug is ordered for the ... (Read 86 times)

sammy · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient is newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. An anticholinergic drug is ordered for the patient.

When reviewing the patient's medical history, the nurse realizes an anticholinergic drug is contraindicated for this patient because of what secondary diagnosis? (Select all that apply.) A) Benign prostatic hypertrophy
B) Narrow-angle glaucoma
C) Myasthenia gravis
D) Dysrhythmias
E) Hepatic dysfunction

Question 2

The nurse should exercise caution when administering antimetabolites to a patient diagnosed with what?

A) Bone marrow suppression
B) Diabetes mellitus
C) Hypertension
D) Seizure activity

chjcharjto14 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A, B, C
Feedback:
Anticholinergics are contraindicated in the presence of narrow-angle glaucoma, GI obstruction, genitourinary (GU) obstruction, and prostatic hypertrophy, all of which could be exacerbated by the peripheral anticholinergic effects of these drugs, and in myasthenia gravis, which could be exacerbated by the blocking of acetylcholine-receptor sites at the neuromuscular synapses. These agents should be administered cautiously, but they are not contraindicated in therapy for the following conditions: tachycardia and other dysrhythmias and hypertension or hypotension because the blocking of the parasympathetic system may cause a dominance of sympathetic stimulatory activity, and in hepatic dysfunction, which could interfere with the metabolism of the drugs and lead to toxic levels.

Answer to Question 2

A
Feedback:
Bone marrow is often the index for dosing and redosing levels. Caution should be used and strict monitoring done for patients with suppressed bone marrow who are receiving an antimetabolite. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and seizure activity have not been identified as interfering with this drug therapy.