FREE Parkinson's Trivia Question and Answers

Question 1

For a patient with Parkinson's disease, levodopa is prescribed. The nurse should be aware of the following before administering the medication:

Accepted Answer

Levodopa may cause the side effects of orthostatic hypotension

Answer

Orthostatic hypotension is a well-known and common side effect of levodopa therapy for Parkinson's disease. Before administering the medication, nurses must be aware of this risk to monitor the patient's blood pressure, educate them on slow position changes, and implement fall precautions. This proactive approach ensures patient safety and helps manage potential adverse effects.

Question 2

Which of the following causes dementia the most frequently among elderly people?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer’s disease

Answer

Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent cause of dementia among older adults, accounting for 60-80% of all dementia cases. While Parkinson's disease can lead to dementia in its later stages, Alzheimer's is significantly more common as the primary cause of progressive cognitive decline and memory loss in the elderly population.

Question 3

When evaluating a patient, the nurse observes Brudzinski's and Kernig's signs. Which of the following illnesses exhibits these two defining symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Meningitis

Answer

Brudzinski's sign (involuntary flexion of the hips and knees when the neck is flexed) and Kernig's sign (pain and resistance when extending the knee with the hip flexed) are classic clinical signs indicative of meningeal irritation. These signs are primarily associated with meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and are crucial for its diagnosis.

Question 4

A client with Parkinson's disease receiving care from a nurse has been taking carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet) for a year. Which unfavorable side effects will the nurse keep an eye on the client for?

Accepted Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet) is a combination medication used to treat Parkinson's disease. While it effectively reduces motor symptoms, common side effects include hypotension, particularly orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure upon standing). The nurse must monitor for this to prevent dizziness and falls, which are significant safety concerns for patients on this medication.

Question 5

A client with Parkinson's disease is being taught by the nurse how to stop the condition's accompanying spinal curvatures. The nurse should instruct the client to refrain from:

Accepted Answer

Periodically lie prone without a neck pillow

Answer

Patients with Parkinson's disease are prone to developing a flexed posture and spinal curvatures like kyphosis due to muscle rigidity. Periodically lying in a prone position (on the stomach) without a neck pillow helps to stretch the anterior muscles and extend the spine. This intervention promotes better postural alignment and helps prevent the progression of spinal deformities, counteracting the tendency towards flexion.

Parkinson's Practice Test

Parkinson's Practice Test

FREE Parkinson's Trivia Question and Answers