Question

The nursing instructor asks the student nurse caring for a patient with Alzheimer's disease, who has been prescribed donepezil, how the drug works. Which response by the nursing student best explains the action of donepezil?

A) "It increases acetylcholine levels, enhancing communication between nerve cells."
B) "It inhibits glutamate, reducing neuronal overexcitation."
C) "It modulates GABA receptors, promoting a calming effect."
D) "It regulates dopamine release, improving mood and cognition."

Answer 1

Donepezil increases acetylcholine levels, enhancing communication between nerve cells in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nursing student should respond by saying that donepezil increases acetylcholine levels, enhancing communication between nerve cells. By inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft, this medication acts as an agonist for acetylcholine, resulting in improved communication between neurons in the brain. This increase in neuronal communication can help restore some of the lost functions in Alzheimer's disease and may slow down the progression of symptoms.