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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Diseases & Conditions

NCLEX RN Parkinson's Disease Practice Quiz

Ready for NCLEX questions for Parkinson's disease? Challenge yourself now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art style illustration of nurse and brain icons with NCLEX RN Parkinsons quiz elements on dark blue background

Ready to conquer nclex questions parkinson's and boost your RN exam confidence? This free scored practice challenges you with real-world scenarios - from assessing tremor severity to selecting optimal drug therapy - so you master critical care for Parkinson's disease. By tackling these nclex questions for parkinson's disease, you'll hone your decision-making and reinforce best practices in symptom management. Tap into this targeted neuro review and see how you score. Start the Parkinson's quiz or dive into the full nclex questions for parkinson's disease set now!

Which of the following is a cardinal symptom of Parkinson's disease?
Resting tremor
Chorea
Intention tremor
Flaccid paralysis
Parkinson's disease is characterized by four primary motor features: resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. The resting tremor often appears when muscles are relaxed and disappears during purposeful movement. It is distinct from intention tremor, which occurs with voluntary action. More info
Which neurotransmitter is deficient in the basal ganglia in Parkinson's disease?
Serotonin
Acetylcholine
Norepinephrine
Dopamine
Parkinson's disease results from progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to a relative dopamine deficiency in the basal ganglia. This imbalance impairs the regulation of motor control. Other neurotransmitters are less directly implicated. More info
Which type of rigidity is often described as ratchet-like in Parkinson's disease?
Flaccid rigidity
Cogwheel rigidity
Spastic rigidity
Lead-pipe rigidity
Cogwheel rigidity is characterized by a ratchet-like catch-and-release feeling when joints are passively moved, due to superimposed tremor on background rigidity. This is a hallmark sign in Parkinson's. Lead-pipe rigidity is uniform and not ratchety. More info
Which medication combination is considered first-line therapy for Parkinson's disease symptom management?
Selegiline
Baclofen
Pramipexole
Levodopa/Carbidopa
Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain to replenish deficient levels, while carbidopa inhibits peripheral decarboxylation of levodopa, increasing central availability and reducing side effects. This combination remains the most effective symptomatic treatment. More info
Bradykinesia in Parkinson's disease refers to which clinical feature?
Muscle stiffness
Tremor at rest
Impaired coordination
Slowness of movement
Bradykinesia is defined as a marked slowness of voluntary movement and decrement in amplitude or speed. It is one of the cardinal motor signs of Parkinson's disease. This symptom significantly impacts daily activities. More info
What term describes the small, shuffling steps common in Parkinson's gait?
Scissors gait
Hemiplegic gait
Festinating gait
Ataxic gait
Festinating gait is characterized by short, rapid steps with a stooped posture and forward-flexed trunk, often accelerating like chasing the center of gravity. It is commonly observed in Parkinson's disease. More info
Which non-motor symptom often affects patients with Parkinson's disease?
Hyperthermia
Weight gain
Constipation
Polyuria
Constipation is a common autonomic non-motor symptom in Parkinson's due to slowed gut motility. It may predate motor symptoms by years. Recognition and management can improve quality of life. More info
Selegiline is classified as which type of pharmacologic agent in Parkinson's disease?
MAO-B inhibitor
COMT inhibitor
Anticholinergic
NMDA agonist
Selegiline selectively inhibits monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), reducing dopamine breakdown in the brain. This helps prolong dopamine activity and can provide symptomatic benefit. More info
The wearing-off phenomenon in Parkinson's disease refers to what?
Sudden and unpredictable return of symptoms
Gradual re-emergence of motor symptoms before the next dose
Development of complete drug tolerance
Onset of dyskinesias at peak dose
Wearing-off is a predictable return of Parkinson's symptoms as the effect of a levodopa dose subsides, typically near the end of the dosing interval. It can be managed by adjusting dosing schedules or adding adjunctive therapies. More info
A common long-term complication of levodopa therapy is:
Hyperthermia
Depression
Hypotension
Dyskinesia
Chronic levodopa use often leads to dyskinesias, which are involuntary, erratic, and writhing movements that typically occur at peak dose. These complications can be dose-limiting and require management strategies such as dose fractionation or adding amantadine. More info
Candidates for deep brain stimulation typically include patients who:
Have early-stage mild symptoms
Cannot tolerate any surgery
Have severe cognitive impairment
Experience motor fluctuations refractory to medication
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is indicated for patients with advanced Parkinson's who have severe motor fluctuations or dyskinesias not adequately controlled by medication. Cognitive impairment is a contraindication. More info
Which nursing intervention helps manage orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson's disease?
Advise cold showers upon standing
Promote rapid standing from bed
Encourage slow position changes
Discourage fluid intake
Slowly moving from lying to sitting and then standing reduces venous pooling and the sudden drop in blood pressure that causes orthostatic hypotension. Adequate fluid intake and compression stockings may also help. More info
Which non-motor feature is often seen in early Parkinson's disease?
Alopecia
Hyperphagia
Photophobia
Depression
Depression is a frequent non-motor symptom in early Parkinson's disease, often predating motor signs. It is thought to arise from both neurochemical changes and psychosocial factors. Recognition and treatment can improve patient outcomes. More info
How does carbidopa enhance the efficacy of levodopa?
Inhibits peripheral decarboxylation of levodopa
Stimulates dopamine receptors directly
Prevents central breakdown of dopamine
Increases blood-brain barrier permeability
Carbidopa blocks the enzyme aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase in the periphery, preventing levodopa conversion to dopamine outside the brain. This increases central availability and reduces peripheral side effects like nausea. More info
What is the recommended timing of a levodopa dose relative to meals?
With a high-protein meal
Immediately after meals
30 minutes before meals
At bedtime only
Protein competes with levodopa for transport across the gut and blood-brain barrier. Taking levodopa 30 minutes before meals maximizes absorption and therapeutic effect. More info
Which class of drugs does entacapone belong to in Parkinson's treatment?
COMT inhibitor
Anticholinergic
Dopamine agonist
MAO-B inhibitor
Entacapone inhibits catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) in the periphery, reducing levodopa breakdown and prolonging its effect. It is used as an adjunct to levodopa/carbidopa. More info
What is the mechanism of action of entacapone in Parkinson's disease?
Stimulates dopamine D2 receptors
Inhibits catechol-O-methyltransferase preventing peripheral levodopa degradation
Blocks MAO-B in the central nervous system
Antagonizes NMDA receptors
Entacapone selectively inhibits COMT in the periphery, preventing methylation and breakdown of levodopa and thus increasing its availability to the brain. It does not directly affect MAO-B or dopamine receptors. More info
The on-off phenomenon in Parkinson's disease is characterized by:
Permanent lack of response to levodopa
Gradual decline in drug efficacy throughout the day
Sudden and unpredictable fluctuations between mobility and immobility
Continuous dyskinesias at all times
The on-off phenomenon refers to abrupt, unpredictable transitions from a mobile 'on' state to an immobile 'off' state despite consistent medication dosing. It is distinct from the wearing-off effect. More info
Which stage on the Hoehn and Yahr scale is defined by bilateral involvement without impairment of balance?
Stage III
Stage I
Stage II
Stage IV
Stage II on the Hoehn and Yahr scale is marked by bilateral or midline involvement without significant postural instability. Stage I is unilateral, Stage III includes balance impairment, and Stage IV signifies severe disability. More info
Which surgical target is used in pallidotomy to reduce levodopa-induced dyskinesias?
Globus pallidus interna
Subthalamic nucleus
Caudate nucleus
Ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus
Pallidotomy targets the globus pallidus interna to disrupt abnormal output pathways, leading to reduction in levodopa-induced dyskinesias. Subthalamic nucleus is used for DBS but not in pallidotomy. More info
What type of intracellular inclusion is characteristic of Parkinson's disease?
TDP-43 inclusion
Pick body
Neurofibrillary tangle
Lewy body composed of alpha-synuclein aggregates
Lewy bodies, intracellular aggregates of misfolded alpha-synuclein protein, are a pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease. Neurofibrillary tangles are seen in Alzheimer's, and Pick bodies in frontotemporal dementia. More info
Which pharmacologic agent is used to treat peak-dose dyskinesias induced by levodopa?
Bromocriptine
Selegiline
Trihexyphenidyl
Amantadine
Amantadine has anti-glutamatergic properties and can reduce peak-dose dyskinesias associated with long-term levodopa therapy. It is often added when dyskinesias become troublesome. More info
Pramipexole exerts its therapeutic effect primarily by:
Stimulating dopamine D2 receptors
Inhibiting MAO-B
Enhancing COMT activity
Blocking adenosine A2A receptors
Pramipexole is a non-ergot dopamine agonist that directly stimulates D2 and D3 receptors in the striatum, mimicking dopamine's action. It does not inhibit MAO-B or affect COMT. More info
What is the clinical purpose of a levodopa 'drug holiday'?
To reduce medication-induced dyskinesias
To test for drug allergies
To permanently enhance absorption
To cure the disease
A levodopa 'drug holiday' - briefly stopping levodopa - may help reset receptor sensitivity and reduce troublesome dyskinesias, though it carries risks and is rarely used. It does not alter disease progression. More info
Which dietary strategy can improve levodopa efficacy?
Taking medication between meals to reduce protein competition
Consuming high-protein meals with each dose
Increasing sodium intake significantly
Avoiding all carbohydrates
Protein-rich meals compete with levodopa for transport across the gut and blood-brain barrier, so taking levodopa between meals can enhance absorption and clinical effect. Carbohydrates and fats have less impact. More info
Which brain target is most commonly used in deep brain stimulation to control tremor in Parkinson's disease?
Ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus
Caudate nucleus
Subthalamic nucleus
Globus pallidus interna
The ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus is the preferred DBS target for disabling tremor in Parkinson's disease, offering significant tremor reduction. Other targets address different symptoms. More info
Istradefylline, an adjunctive therapy in Parkinson's disease, exerts its effect by:
Inhibiting MAO-B
Antagonizing adenosine A2A receptors
Enhancing GABA activity
Blocking D2 receptors
Istradefylline selectively blocks adenosine A2A receptors in the striatum, which modulates dopaminergic signaling and reduces "off" time when used with levodopa. It does not inhibit MAO-B or block dopamine receptors. More info
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Study Outcomes

  1. Differentiate Clinical Manifestations -

    Distinguish between the primary motor and secondary non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease to enhance accuracy in nclex questions parkinson's scenarios.

  2. Apply Assessment Techniques -

    Utilize standard neurological evaluation methods to identify disease progression and correctly respond to nclex questions for parkinson's disease.

  3. Evaluate Pharmacologic Therapies -

    Assess the indications, side effects, and nursing considerations of key medications like levodopa-carbidopa when tackling nclex parkinson's questions.

  4. Prioritize Nursing Interventions -

    Determine the correct sequence of care actions for managing both acute exacerbations and long-term care in Parkinson's patients.

  5. Interpret Scenario-Based Data -

    Analyze patient case studies and lab values to select evidence-based strategies aligned with nclex questions on parkinson's care.

Cheat Sheet

  1. TRAP mnemonic for core symptoms -

    As endorsed by NINDS, use "TRAP" (Tremor, Rigidity, Akinesia/bradykinesia, Postural instability) to quickly recall Parkinson's cardinal signs during nclex questions parkinson's scenarios. This cheat code helps you differentiate Parkinson's from other movement disorders in clinical vignettes. Practicing with sample nclex questions parkinson's solidifies recall under test conditions.

  2. Levodopa/Carbidopa Timing and Side Effects -

    According to UpToDate, administering levodopa/carbidopa on time optimizes absorption and minimizes motor "off" episodes - a key nclex questions for parkinson's disease focus. Monitor for dyskinesias, orthostatic hypotension, and vivid dreams, documenting any changes promptly. A practical tip: schedule doses 30 min before meals to reduce protein competition in the gut.

  3. Fall Prevention and Mobility Aids -

    CDC fall prevention data highlight that Parkinson's clients often exhibit shuffling gait and postural instability, increasing fall risk in nclex questions on parkinson's practice cases. Teach wide-based stance techniques and the use of walkers or canes with scheduled physical therapy sessions. Implement environmental safety checks - remove rugs, secure handrails, and ensure proper lighting for ambulation.

  4. Managing Dysphagia and Nutrition -

    According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, dysphagia presents early in Parkinson's and must be addressed in nclex questions parkinson's disease practice to prevent aspiration pneumonia. Recommend thickened liquids, small frequent meals, and head-forward swallowing techniques supervised by a speech-language pathologist. Document weight trends and coordinate with dietitians for high-calorie, nutrient-dense foods.

  5. Advanced Therapies and Monitoring -

    As recommended by the American Parkinson Disease Association, deep brain stimulation (DBS) and Duopa gel are advanced options highlighted in weighted nclex questions for parkinson's disease to decrease medication fluctuations. Understand pre- and post-procedure nursing care: assess neuro status, program stimulation settings, and monitor for infection. Familiarity with DBS programming basics boosts confidence when answering clinical scenarios.

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