A client with Parkinson's disease who is taking carbidopa/levodopa reports the urine appears to be darker in color. Which action should the nurse take?
Measure the client's urinary output.
Explain the color change is normal.
Obtain a specimen for a urine culture.
Encourage an increase in oral intake.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Measuring the client's urinary output is not the most appropriate action for the nurse to take. Although urinary output is an important indicator of renal function, it is not related to the color change of the urine. The nurse should monitor the client's fluid balance as part of the routine care, but it is not a priority.
Choice B reason: Explaining the color change is normal is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take. Carbidopa/levodopa can cause the urine to become dark brown or black, which is a harmless side effect. The nurse should reassure the client that this is not a sign of a serious problem and does not affect the effectiveness of the medication.
Choice C reason: Obtaining a specimen for a urine culture is not the most appropriate action for the nurse to take. A urine culture is used to diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI), which is characterized by symptoms such as dysuria, frequency, urgency, and hematuria. The color change of the urine due to carbidopa/levodopa is not indicative of a UTI. The nurse should obtain a urine culture only if the client has signs or symptoms of a UTI.
Choice D reason: Encouraging an increase in oral intake is not the most appropriate action for the nurse to take. Although adequate hydration is important for the client's health, it is not related to the color change of the urine. The nurse should encourage the client to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration, but it is not a priority.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is the most significant information about this finding. St. John's Wort is an herbal supplement that is used for various conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or insomnia. However, it can also interact with many medications, including cyclosporine, which is an immunosuppressant drug that is used to prevent organ rejection after transplantation. St. John's Wort can induce the activity of certain enzymes in the liver that metabolize cyclosporine, leading to lower levels of the drug in the blood and reduced efficacy. This can increase the risk of graft rejection and complications. The nurse should inform the healthcare provider and educate the client about the potential interaction and the importance of avoiding St. John's Wort and other herbal products without consulting the provider.
Choice B reason: This is not significant information about this finding. Adding the herb can not decrease the need for corticosteroids, which are another type of immunosuppressant drug that are used to prevent organ rejection after transplantation. St. John's Wort does not have any anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory effects that can reduce the dosage or frequency of corticosteroids. On the contrary, it can interfere with the metabolism and absorption of corticosteroids, as well as other medications, and cause adverse effects or reduced efficacy. The nurse should advise the client to follow the prescribed regimen of corticosteroids and other drugs, and not to self-medicate with herbal products.
Choice C reason: This is not significant information about this finding. The client probably used this herb to treat depression, which is a common condition among transplant recipients, due to the stress, anxiety, and lifestyle changes associated with the procedure. However, this does not explain the cause of the graft rejection, nor does it justify the use of St. John's Wort without consulting the healthcare provider. St. John's Wort is not a proven or safe treatment for depression, and it can interact with many antidepressant drugs, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and cause serious side effects, such as serotonin syndrome. The nurse should assess the client's mental health status and refer the client to a mental health professional if needed.
Choice D reason: This is not a significant information about this finding. Ingestion of St. John's Wort can not reduce the client's intake of sodium, which is an electrolyte that is essential for the fluid balance and nerve function in the body. St. John's Wort does not have any diuretic or sodium-lowering effects that can affect the sodium levels in the blood or urine. The nurse should monitor the client's sodium levels and fluid intake and output, and report any abnormal findings to the healthcare provider. The nurse should also teach the client about the dietary sources and recommendations of sodium, and the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia or hypernatremia.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is not a correct instruction for the nurse to provide to the client's caregivers. When using the discus, the client should breathe out slowly and gently away from the mouthpiece, not into it. Breathing out rapidly into the mouthpiece can cause the powder to disperse and reduce the amount of medication delivered to the lungs. The client should also rinse the mouthpiece with water after each use and dry it thoroughly.
Choice B reason: This is not a correct instruction for the nurse to provide to the client's caregivers. The discus is not intended for use during an acute asthma attack, as it does not provide immediate relief of bronchospasm. The discus is a combination of fluticasone, a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation, and salmeterol, a long-acting beta-agonist that relaxes the airway muscles. The discus is a maintenance therapy that should be used regularly to prevent asthma symptoms and exacerbations. The client should also have a rescue inhaler, such as albuterol, for quick relief of asthma attacks.
Choice C reason: This is not a correct instruction for the nurse to provide to the client's caregivers. Clients using the discus may experience increased blood pressure, not decreased, as a possible side effect of salmeterol. Salmeterol can stimulate the beta receptors in the heart and blood vessels, causing tachycardia, palpitations, and hypertension. The nurse should monitor the client's blood pressure and heart rate regularly and report any abnormal findings to the healthcare provider.
Choice D reason: This is the correct instruction for the nurse to provide to the client's caregivers. The discus should not be used more than twice daily, as it can increase the risk of adverse effects and reduce the effectiveness of the medication. The discus should be used once in the morning and once in the evening, about 12 hours apart, to provide optimal control of asthma symptoms. The nurse should teach the client and the caregivers how to use the discus correctly and safely, and to follow the prescribed dosage and schedule.
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