In educating a client diagnosed with Parkinson's disease about benztropine, which statement indicates a need for further teaching?

Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication commonly used to manage symptoms of Parkinson's disease, particularly tremors and muscle rigidity. It works by balancing the levels of acetylcholine and dopamine in the brain, which are often disrupted in Parkinson's disease. The correct understanding of its side effects is crucial for patient education.

The statement indicating a need for further teaching is one that suggests increased sweating and diarrhea, as these effects are not common with benztropine. In fact, anticholinergic medications like benztropine tend to have the opposite effects, often leading to decreased secretion of fluids such as saliva and sweat. Therefore, if a patient believes that they will experience increased sweating and diarrhea, this indicates a misunderstanding of how the medication works and its typical side effects.

On the other hand, the statement about the medication potentially helping to reduce tremors is accurate, as benztropine is specifically used to manage such symptoms. Advising patients to avoid alcohol is also valid, as alcohol can exacerbate side effects or interact adversely with many medications. The mention of side effects like dry mouth and constipation aligns with the anticholinergic properties of benztropine, further confirming that the patient should be aware of these possibilities.