The nurse has initiated teaching for a family member of a patient with Alzheimer disease. The nurse realizes more teaching is needed if the family member makes which statement?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because Alzheimer's disease currently has no cure. Step 1: Alzheimer's is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that worsens over time, leading to memory loss (A). Step 2: The exact cause is unknown, with various theories proposed (B). Step 3: Behavioral symptoms like personality changes, wandering, and aggression are common (C). Step 4: There is no cure for Alzheimer's; current treatments aim to manage symptoms and slow progression, not cure the disease (D). The other options are accurate statements related to Alzheimer's disease, making them incorrect choices in this context.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Cyclobenzaprine. Cyclobenzaprine is a centrally acting muscle relaxant commonly used to treat muscle spasticity in conditions like multiple sclerosis. It works by inhibiting nerve impulses to reduce muscle spasms. Neostigmine (A) is a cholinesterase inhibitor used for myasthenia gravis, not spasticity. Ropinirole (B) is a dopamine agonist used for Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome, not spasticity. Pyridostigmine (D) is also a cholinesterase inhibitor used for myasthenia gravis, not spasticity.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step 1: Pyridostigmine is a medication used to treat myasthenia gravis by improving muscle strength. Step 2: Underdosing of pyridostigmine can lead to myasthenic crisis, a life-threatening condition characterized by severe muscle weakness. Step 3: Therefore, it is crucial for the nurse to include in the teaching plan that underdosing can result in myasthenic crisis to emphasize the importance of taking the medication as prescribed. Step 4: Taking pyridostigmine on time (Choice A) is important for maintaining therapeutic levels but not specifically related to the risk of myasthenic crisis. Step 5: Taking the prescribed dose every other week (Choice B) is incorrect as pyridostigmine is typically taken daily or as directed by the healthcare provider. Step 6: Overdosing of pyridostigmine can result in cholinergic crisis (Choice D), which is a complication but not

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D) GABAergic. In this scenario, the woman was prescribed a hypnotic drug for initial insomnia, which suggests the need to enhance inhibitory pathways to promote sleep. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain that helps regulate sleep and reduce neuronal excitability. Drugs that increase GABA activity, such as benzodiazepines or non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotics, are commonly used to treat insomnia by promoting relaxation and sleep. Option A) Cholinergic is incorrect because cholinergic neurotransmission is more associated with functions such as memory, muscle movement, and cognitive processing rather than sleep regulation. Option B) Noradrenergic is incorrect as noradrenaline plays a role in arousal, attention, and stress response, which are typically not targeted for insomnia treatment. Option C) Glutamatergic is incorrect because glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and is involved in cognitive functions, learning, and memory, rather than sleep promotion. Understanding the role of different neurotransmitter systems in drug actions is crucial for healthcare professionals to make informed decisions when prescribing medications for specific conditions like insomnia. This knowledge helps ensure safe and effective treatment outcomes for patients.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Acetylcholine has been consistently implicated in Alzheimer's disease, which is the disorder the 71-year-old man was diagnosed with. This neurotransmitter is involved in memory and cognitive function, both of which are affected in Alzheimer's disease. A drug that acts on the central cholinergic system would likely target acetylcholine to improve symptoms in this patient. The other neurotransmitters listed are not as strongly linked to Alzheimer's disease.