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?

A. Hold one nostril closed while spraying the other nostril: Closing one nostril while administering the spray ensures the medication is delivered more effectively into the nasal passages, allowing for better absorption and symptom control by maximizing the contact of the medication with the nasal mucosa.

B. Use the inhaler when first awakening in the morning: The specific timing of intranasal corticosteroid use may vary depending on the healthcare provider's instructions and the client's symptom pattern. While morning use can be beneficial due to peak allergy symptoms, it is not the most critical technique instruction. Proper administration ensures better drug efficacy regardless of timing.

C. Avoid shaking the inhaler immediately before using: Some nasal sprays, especially suspensions, require shaking to evenly distribute the medication. Advising not to shake could lead to inconsistent dosing and reduced effectiveness, depending on the specific medication.

D. Angle the tip of the inhaler upward while spraying: The inhaler tip should be angled slightly outward toward the ear, not straight upward, to target the correct nasal structures. Spraying directly upward could lead to discomfort or less effective drug delivery.

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.