Final answer:
The correct statement that reflects effective safety education for a patient with Parkinson's taking Carbidopa-Levodopa is 'I will rise slowly from a sitting or lying position.' This shows the patient understands how to prevent orthostatic hypotension.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse is providing safety education to a patient diagnosed with Parkinson's who is prescribed Carbidopa-Levodopa. As part of comprehensive safety education, the nurse would focus on a variety of potential issues that may arise due to both the disease and the medication. Specifically relevant to Carbidopa-Levodopa, the nurse is looking for the patient to understand how to manage orthostatic hypotension, which is a drop in blood pressure that can occur when changing positions. Patients with Parkinson's disease are especially prone to this issue due to the condition's effect on the autonomic nervous system.
The correct statement that indicates the patient has understood the safety education is B) "I will rise slowly from a sitting or lying position." This shows the patient is aware of the need to prevent dizziness or fainting associated with sudden changes in body position, which can be exacerbated by the medication. The other statements are incorrect or unsafe practices:
- A) Taking the medication with food can actually help with its absorption and reduce gastrointestinal side effects.
- C) Stopping the medication abruptly can cause a rapid worsening of symptoms and is generally not recommended without physician guidance.
- D) While some medications should be taken on an empty stomach, Carbidopa-Levodopa does not necessarily need to be taken this way.