A patient with a history of Parkinson's disease who is takes levodopa (Dopar) comes to the nurse's station complaining of very dark urine. The nurse should include which action in the further assessment of the patient's complaint?
a. Obtain a urinalysis to screen for blood.
b. Instruct the patient to cut down on the salt intake.
c. Explain to the patient that this is a harmless, expected effect.
d. Instruct the patient to increase fluids to dilute the urine.
C
Levodopa may darken sweat and urine. Patients should be informed about this harmless effect.
A urinalysis is not indicated for this expected effect of the medication.
Reducing the salt intake has no effect on the color of the urine.
Additional fluid may not be indicated for this effect.
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