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    HESI RN pharmacology proctored exam

    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?

    Explanation & Rationale

    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.

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