A Nursing Student Wants to Know Why a Patient Who

question 5

Multiple Choice

A nursing student wants to know why a patient who has been taking levodopa [Dopar] for years will now receive levodopa/carbidopa [Sinemet]. The nurse explains the reasons that levodopa as a single agent is no longer available. Which statement by the student indicates a need for further education?

• A) "Carbidopa increases the availability of levodopa in the central nervous system."
• B) "Carbidopa reduces the incidence of nausea and vomiting."
• C) "Combination products reduce peripheral cardiovascular side effects."
• D) "Combination products cause fewer dyskinesias and decreased psychosis."

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Definitions:

Frameshift Mutation

A genetic mutation caused by insertions or deletions of a number of nucleotides in a DNA sequence that is not divisible by three, altering the reading frame.

Nucleotide Sequence

The order of nucleotides in a segment of DNA or RNA, determining genetic information.

Mutations

Permanent alterations in the DNA sequence of a gene, which can lead to changes in the protein product and have various effects on an organism's traits.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses.