Case Study, Antiparkinsonism Agents
A nurse is visiting a new patient in a home care setting. The patient has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The patient has tremors, mask-like facial expression, and changes in posture and gait. The patient has been started on levodopa. The visiting nurse has to provide some patient teaching on the new medication. (Learning Objectives 1, 2, and 5)
a. What is the current theory of the cause of Parkinson's disease?
b. What are the common adverse effects associated with levodopa that is used to treat Parkinson's disease?
c. What are the key nursing implementation considerations for levodopa that the nurse should review with the patient?