Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Test

When managing Parkinson's disease dietary education, what is the priority eating concern for the nurse to address?

1. Excessive thirst

2. Refusal to eat

3. Difficulty swallowing

4. Constipation

The correct answer is: Difficulty swallowing

When managing Parkinson's disease, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) is a crucial eating concern for the nurse to address. Dysphagia is a common issue in Parkinson's disease due to the impairment of muscles involved in swallowing. It can lead to complications such as aspiration pneumonia or malnutrition. Therefore, addressing difficulties with swallowing is essential to ensure proper nutrition and prevent complications in patients with Parkinson's disease. While the other options may also be concerns for patients with Parkinson's disease, such as constipation being a common non-motor symptom, difficulty swallowing (option C) is the priority eating concern due to its potential serious implications for the patient's health and well-being.