Alprazolam's therapeutic use is what?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Alprazolam is a medication commonly used in treating anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety associated with depression. It belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines, which act on the central nervous system to produce a calming effect. Alprazolam helps to reduce feelings of anxiety and promote relaxation by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. It is not used for relief of drowsiness, bronchospasms, or cardiac arrest.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Levodopa treats Parkinson's by crossing the blood-brain barrier and converting to dopamine, but peripheral metabolism by dopa decarboxylase reduces its availability and causes side effects like nausea. Carbidopa, a peripheral dopa decarboxylase inhibitor, doesn't cross into the CNS, so it prevents levodopa breakdown outside the brain, increasing its CNS entry and efficacy. It doesn't stimulate dopamine receptors—levodopa's metabolite does that. Absorption isn't directly enhanced; bioavailability improves due to less peripheral loss. Peripheral dopamine production decreases with carbidopa, not increases, reducing side effects. COMT inhibition (e.g., entacapone) is a separate strategy. By blocking peripheral conversion, carbidopa ensures more levodopa reaches the brain, optimizing therapy and minimizing adverse effects.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Angioedema is a potentially serious side effect of ACE inhibitors. It involves swelling of the deeper layers of the skin and submucosal tissues and can affect areas such as the face, lips, tongue, throat, and extremities. One of the key signs of angioedema is difficulty breathing, or dyspnea. Other signs may include swelling, itching, and hives. It is crucial for nurses to monitor patients taking ACE inhibitors for any signs of angioedema as it can rapidly progress and lead to airway compromise and respiratory distress. Prompt recognition and intervention are essential to prevent any serious complications.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Post-kidney transplant, immunosuppression prevents rejection by targeting T-cell activation. Cyclosporine binds calcineurin, inhibiting its phosphatase activity, which blocks IL-2 transcription, crucial for T-cell proliferation-making it the correct answer. Methotrexate inhibits purine synthesis, affecting rapidly dividing cells, not calcineurin. Prednisolone , a corticosteroid, suppresses inflammation broadly but doesn't target calcineurin. Sirolimus inhibits mTOR, a different pathway, affecting T-cell proliferation downstream, not calcineurin. Temsirolimus (E) is similar to sirolimus. Cyclosporine's specificity to calcineurin aligns with the question's focus, a cornerstone in transplant regimens. Its mechanism disrupts early T-cell signaling, critical for alloimmune responses, unlike the broader or alternative actions of other options. This precision ensures effective prophylaxis while distinguishing it from other immunosuppressants in the list.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct instruction to the patient who is taking clopidogrel (Plavix) and aspirin and is preparing for orthopedic surgery is to continue taking aspirin and stop taking clopidogrel 2 weeks prior to surgery. Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet medication that irreversibly inhibits platelet activation and aggregation, which can increase the risk of bleeding during surgery. However, aspirin has a different mechanism of action and does not have as profound an effect on platelet function as clopidogrel. By continuing aspirin and stopping clopidogrel, the patient can still receive some antiplatelet protection while minimizing the bleeding risk associated with clopidogrel. It is important for the nurse to consult with the surgeon to ensure the best course of action for the patient's specific situation.