A patient has developed pitting edema in her lower legs and feet.
The nurse is knowledgeable about this condition. After the patient’s physician prescribes furosemide and the patient begins this new medication, what should the nurse anticipate?

Choice A rationale:

Brown or black urine is not a typical observation associated with Levodopa use. It can indicate other potential causes, such as: Dehydration

Liver disease

Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)

Certain medications like metronidazole or iron supplements

Hematuria (blood in the urine)

It's essential to rule out these conditions if brown or black urine is observed.

Choice C rationale:

Green or blue-green urine is also not common with Levodopa. It can be caused by:

Medications like amitriptyline, indomethacin, propofol, or methylene blue

Certain food dyes

Urinary tract infections caused by Pseudomonas bacteria

Familial benign hypercalcemia (a rare genetic condition)

Choice D rationale:

Blood-tinged urine (hematuria) is not a direct effect of Levodopa. It can signal underlying urinary tract issues, such as: Infections

Kidney stones

Bladder or kidney tumors

Trauma to the urinary tract

Strenuous exercise

Choice B rationale:

Orange or orange-red urine is the most common observation in patients taking Levodopa. This discoloration is due to: Breakdown of Levodopa into dopamine and other metabolites

These metabolites can impart an orange or reddish hue to the urine

The color intensity may vary depending on dosage and individual metabolism

It's generally harmless and doesn't require medical intervention

However, it's essential to inform healthcare providers about any urine color changes to ensure proper monitoring and rule out other potential causes.

Choice A rationale:
Tertiary health promotion and illness prevention focus on managing existing health conditions and preventing complications. Administering a nebulized bronchodilator to a client who is short of breath directly addresses an existing respiratory problem, aiming to relieve symptoms and prevent further respiratory distress. This intervention falls under tertiary prevention because it targets a client already experiencing respiratory symptoms.
Key points:
Bronchodilators open constricted airways, easing airflow and breathing.
Nebulizers deliver medication directly to the lungs, providing rapid relief.
Shortness of breath is a common symptom of respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD.
Prompt treatment of respiratory symptoms can prevent worsening of the condition and potential complications.
Choice B rationale:
Teaching a client about the risks of light cigarettes is an example of primary prevention. It aims to prevent lung disease before it develops by educating individuals about the harms of smoking.
Choice C rationale:
Advocating for more explicit warning labels on cigarette packages is a form of secondary prevention. It targets at-risk populations (smokers) to encourage behavior change and reduce smoking rates, ultimately lowering the incidence of lung disease.
Choice D rationale:
Assisting with lung function testing is a diagnostic procedure, not a tertiary prevention intervention. It helps to identify respiratory problems but doesn't directly manage or prevent them.