AIIMS Delhi NO - 2017
Medical & Surgical Nursing
Medium

Which manifestation is not seen in Parkinson's disease?

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO - 2017

Explanation

  • Anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure, is classified as a non-motor (neuropsychiatric) symptom of Parkinson's disease.
  • While it is a common finding, often associated with depression in these patients, it is distinct from the cardinal motor features of the disease.
  • The question contrasts this non-motor symptom with three classic motor manifestations, making anhedonia the correct answer as the outlier.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option B: Resting tremor is a cardinal motor sign of Parkinson's disease, often described as a 'pill-rolling' motion of the fingers. It is one of the most common presenting symptoms.
  • Option C: A shuffling gait is a characteristic feature of Parkinson's disease, resulting from bradykinesia (slowness of movement) and postural instability. Patients take small steps and have reduced arm swing.
  • Option D: Drooling (sialorrhea) is a common motor-related symptom in Parkinson's disease. It is not due to overproduction of saliva but rather to impaired automatic swallowing movements.

Related Visual

column infographic contrasting the motor symptoms tremor, rigidity, shuffling gait, drooling, postural instability and non-motor symptoms depression, anxiety, anhedonia, fati...
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: Knowing Differentiating between motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
  • Nurses must perform holistic assessments for both motor and non-motor symptoms. Non-motor symptoms like depression and anhedonia severely impact a patient's quality of life and require specific interventions, such as counseling or antidepressant therapy.
  • Recognizing the full spectrum of symptoms allows for comprehensive care planning that addresses both physical disability and psychological distress.
  • What if? If a patient with Parkinson's reports feeling constantly sad and having lost interest in all activities, the nurse should screen for depression, as anhedonia is a core symptom. This requires referral and management, not just focusing on motor symptoms.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, analyze the question to identify the core concept: symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Note the negative framing ('not seen').
  • Recall the classic motor symptoms of Parkinson's, often remembered by the acronym TRAP: Tremor (at rest), Rigidity, Akinesia/Bradykinesia, and Postural instability.
  • Evaluate each option and categorize it as either a motor (movement-related) or non-motor (psychiatric, sensory, autonomic) symptom.
  • Recognize that 'Resting Tremors,' 'Shuffling gait,' and 'Drooling' are all direct consequences of the motor system dysfunction in Parkinson's.
  • Identify 'Anhedonia' as a neuropsychiatric (non-motor) symptom, related to mood.
  • Conclude that the non-motor symptom is the intended answer, as it is different from the other three classic motor signs.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Differentiating between motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
  • Stem keywords: Parkinson's disease, manifestation
  • Lead-in keywords: not seen
  • Negative lead-in flag: The question asks to identify the manifestation that is NOT a characteristic motor symptom of Parkinson's disease.

Question ID

Q0DW4FL8JgyAixvIWj8ovQ

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 1844-1846

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 219-221

E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 1 p. 253-255

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