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?
Obtain a specimen for a urine culture.
Explain the color change is normal.
Measure the client's urinary output.
Encourage an increase in oral intake.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Obtain a specimen for a urine culture: A urine culture is necessary when infection is suspected, typically indicated by symptoms like burning, urgency, or foul odor. Darker urine alone in a client on carbidopa/levodopa is not an indication for infection testing.
B. Explain the color change is normal: Carbidopa/levodopa can cause harmless discoloration of bodily fluids, including darker urine, sweat, and saliva due to the metabolism and excretion of the medication. This is a well-known and non-threatening side effect that does not require intervention beyond client reassurance.
C. Measure the client's urinary output: Monitoring urinary output is important in cases of suspected dehydration or renal dysfunction, but simply darker urine without changes in volume or symptoms does not justify additional measurement in this scenario.
D. Encourage an increase in oral intake: While adequate hydration is always encouraged, the urine color change reported here is due to the medication itself, not dehydration. Therefore, increasing fluid intake will not reverse or prevent the discoloration.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"C","dropdown-group-2":"A"}
Explanation
24 hrs: Insulin glargine provides a steady, basal level of insulin for about 24 hours after injection. It is specifically designed for once-daily dosing to maintain blood glucose stability throughout the day and night.
15 mins: Fifteen minutes is too soon for insulin glargine to start working. This onset time is typical for rapid-acting insulins like lispro or aspart, not for long-acting basal insulins like glargine.
1 hr: Insulin glargine begins to work slowly after administration, with an onset typically around 1 hour. It does not act immediately like rapid insulins but instead gradually lowers blood glucose over an extended time.
48 hrs: A duration of 48 hours is too long for insulin glargine. Its therapeutic window is designed to last about 24 hours, supporting once-daily dosing without significant overlapping or stacking effects if scheduled correctly.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Exhibits fewer emotional outbursts: Zolpidem is a sedative-hypnotic medication primarily used to treat insomnia. A reduction in emotional outbursts is not a direct expected outcome of this medication. While improved sleep might indirectly influence mood, it is not the primary therapeutic goal.
B. Decreased episodes of incontinence: Zolpidem's primary action is on the central nervous system to promote sleep. A decrease in episodes of incontinence is not a direct pharmacological effect of zolpidem.
C. Improved ability to concentrate: Zolpidem is a sedative and can potentially cause daytime drowsiness or cognitive impairment rather than improving concentration. Its intended effect is to induce sleep, which could indirectly benefit concentration if the client's difficulty concentrating was due to sleep deprivation, but it's not a direct outcome of the medication itself.
D. Sleeps soundly through the night: The intended therapeutic effect of zolpidem is to help the client initiate and maintain sleep. Documentation stating that the client sleeps soundly through the night indicates that the medication has achieved its desired outcome.
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