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 ["B","C","D"]
Explanation
A. May stop taking medication if no symptoms of GI discomfort: Pantoprazole is prescribed prophylactically in burn clients to prevent stress ulcers, not just to treat existing symptoms. Stopping it without medical advice could increase the risk of serious complications like gastric bleeding.
B. Explain that pantoprazole may be taken with or without food: Pantoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), can be taken without regard to meals. Educating the client on flexible timing improves adherence and reduces confusion about the medication regimen.
C. Teach the client about risk of developing a Curling's ulcer: Severe burns increase the risk of Curling’s ulcer, a stress-related gastric ulcer. Explaining this risk helps the client understand the preventative role of pantoprazole in their overall care plan.
D. Discuss the risk of gastric bleeding related to severe burns: Gastric bleeding is a serious, potentially life-threatening complication associated with stress ulcers in burn patients. Teaching the client about this risk provides a clear rationale for continuing pantoprazole therapy.
E. Tell how pantoprazole effectively heals ulcers: While pantoprazole can treat ulcers, in this case it is prescribed to prevent ulcer formation rather than to heal an existing ulcer. The teaching should focus on prevention, not healing.
Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"A"},"B":{"answers":"A"},"C":{"answers":"C"},"D":{"answers":"B"},"E":{"answers":"C"},"F":{"answers":"C"},"G":{"answers":"B"}}
Explanation
Large, liquid stool: Lactulose is prescribed to treat constipation by drawing water into the bowel and promoting a bowel movement. A large, liquid stool indicates that the medication has effectively relieved the client's postoperative constipation.
Abdomen soft and flat: Before receiving lactulose, the client had a distended abdomen. A soft, flat abdomen afterward shows that bowel motility improved and gas or stool buildup has decreased, reflecting therapeutic action.
Blood pressure 120/68 mm Hg: Lactulose does not significantly affect blood pressure. A normal blood pressure reading is a positive finding but is unrelated to the expected outcomes or side effects of lactulose therapy.
Drowsiness: Drowsiness is not an intended or expected effect of lactulose. It may result from opioid use (morphine) rather than the lactulose itself, but since it impacts the client's alertness, it is considered a nontherapeutic side effect here.
Heart rate 62 beats/minute: Lactulose has no direct pharmacologic impact on heart rate. A heart rate of 62 beats per minute is within acceptable limits for many adults and is unrelated to the administration of lactulose.
Pain rating of 2 on a 0 to 10 scale: Pain control relates to the administration of morphine and other analgesics, not to lactulose. Therefore, a lower pain score reflects effective analgesia but is not linked to lactulose therapy.
Cramping: Cramping can occur with lactulose because it increases bowel motility and draws fluid into the intestines. Although mild cramping is expected, it is still classified as a nontherapeutic side effect because it can cause client discomfort.
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