The nurse is caring for a patient with moderate Alzheimer disease (AD). The health care provider has ordered memantine (Namenda) for the collaborative treatment of the patient's disease. What is the nurse's best understanding of this medication's action?
1. Protects cells against excess glutamate by partially blocking NMDA c-receptors.
2. Slows the degradation of acetylcholine, thereby increasing concentration of the neurotransmitters in the cerebral cortex.
3. Protects cells against excess NMDA by partially blocking glutamate c-receptors.
4. Slows the degradation of dopamine, thereby increasing concentration of the neurotransmitters in the cerebral cortex.
Answer: 1
Explanation: Memantine (Namenda) is a NMDA receptor antagonist. This medication may protect cells against excess glutamate by partially blocking NMDA c-receptors. Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) are also used in the treatment of AD. These medications slow the degradation of acetylcholine, thereby increasing concentration of the neurotransmitters in the cerebral cortex.
You might also like to view...
While the nurse is demonstrating a baby bath, the client states, "The other nurse told me to do it a different way." The nurse should:
a. Tell her to do the procedure whichever way works best for her. b. Tell her the other nurse does not have much experience in caring for newborns. c. Reassure her that procedures are based on standard principles and may vary. d. Confront the other nurse about her knowledge of the procedure.
Which action should the nurse take when assessing a patient with trigeminal neuralgia?
a. Have the patient clench the jaws. b. Inspect the oral mucosa and teeth. c. Palpate the face to compare skin temperature bilaterally. d. Identify trigger zones by lightly touching the affected side.
A patient who has been receiving intermittent chemotherapy through a peripheral IV site is ordered to receive a high dose of vancomycin through the same vein. Why does this concern the nurse?
a. Chemotherapy is irritating to the vascular system and may cause the vein to infiltrate. b. Two medications should never be placed into the same IV site. c. Once chemotherapy is in a patient's system, any additional medicine given will cause a synergistic effect. d. Chemotherapy treatments require a special pump designed solely for chemotherapy.
A school-age child with hemophilia falls on the playground and goes to the nurse's office with superficial bleeding above the knee. The nurse should
1. apply a warm moist pack to the area. 2. perform some passive range ofmotion to the affected leg. 3. apply pressure to the area for at least15 minutes. 4. keep the affected extremity in adependent position.