A client with Parkinson's disease who is taking carbidopa/levodopa reports that urine appears to be darker in color. Which action should the nurse take?
Encourage an increase in oral intake.
Measure the client's urinary output.
Explain that color change is normal.
Obtain a specimen for a urine culture.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Encouraging an increase in oral intake is not necessary in this situation, as dark urine is not a sign of dehydration or fluid imbalance. Dark urine may be caused by certain foods, medications, or medical conditions, but it does not indicate a need for more fluids.
Choice B reason: Measuring the client's urinary output is not relevant to this situation, as dark urine is not a sign of urinary retention or obstruction. Urinary output may vary depending on fluid intake, activity level, or other factors, but it does not reflect urine color.
Choice C reason: Explaining that color change is normal is the appropriate action to take, as dark urine is a common and harmless side effect of carbidopa/levodopa, which is a combination drug used to treat Parkinson's disease by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. Carbidopa/levodopa can cause urine to turn brown, black, or red, but this does not affect the function or health of the kidneys or bladder.
Choice D reason: Obtaining a specimen for a urine culture is not necessary in this situation, as dark urine is not a sign of infection or inflammation. A urine culture may be indicated if the client has symptoms such as fever, pain, burning, frequency, or urgency, but it does not diagnose urine color
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Breast feeding is not recommended while taking this medication, as isotretinoin can pass into breast milk and harm
the nursing infant. However, this information is not as important as choice d, as the client may not be breast feeding or planning to breast feed.
Choice B reason: Baseline liver function results must be obtained during therapy, as isotretinoin can cause liver damage and increase liver enzymes. However, this information is not as important as choice d, as the client may not have liver problems or need liver function tests.
Choice C reason: Do not take multiple vitamins that contain vitamin A while taking this drug, as isotretinoin is a derivative of vitamin A and can cause vitamin A toxicity if taken in excess. However, this information is not as important as choice d, as the client may not take multiple vitamins or have vitamin A toxicity.
Choice D reason: Discontinue this medication one month before attempting to conceive, as isotretinoin can cause severe birth defects and miscarriages if taken during pregnancy. Therefore, this information is most important for the nurse to provide this client, as the client is planning to become pregnant and should avoid isotretinoin exposure.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Holding the calcitriol but administering the calcium carbonate as scheduled is not appropriate, as both drugs can increase the serum calcium level and worsen the condition of hypercalcemia. Calcitriol is a synthetic form of vitamin D that enhances the absorption of calcium from the GI tract and promotes bone mineralization. Calcium carbonate is a supplement that provides additional calcium to the body.
Choice B reason: Holding the calcium carbonate, but administering the calcitriol as scheduled is not appropriate, as calcitriol alone can also raise the serum calcium level and cause hypercalcemia. Calcitriol is a synthetic form of vitamin D that enhances the absorption of calcium from the GI tract and promotes bone mineralization.
Choice C reason: Holding both medications until contacting the healthcare provider is the appropriate action to take, as the client's total calcium level is above the normal range of 9 to 10.5 mg/dL or 2.25 to 2.62 mmol/L and indicates hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, confusion, lethargy, muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and kidney stones. The healthcare provider can adjust the dose or frequency of the medications or prescribe other treatments to lower the serum calcium level.
Choice D reason: Administering both prescribed medications as scheduled is not appropriate, as both drugs can increase the serum calcium level and worsen the condition of hypercalcemia. Calcitriol is a synthetic form of vitamin D that enhances the absorption of calcium from the GI tract and promotes bone mineralization. Calcium carbonate is a supplement that provides additional calcium to the body.
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