Which symptoms would prompt a nurse to alert a physician about a client taking cascara sagrada?

In the context of a client taking cascara sagrada, urine discoloration is a noteworthy symptom to monitor. Cascara sagrada is a natural laxative derived from the bark of the buckthorn tree, and it works by stimulating bowel movements. One of the side effects associated with cascara sagrada is that it can cause changes in urine color, often leading to a darker or more reddish hue due to the compounds in the bark.

Alerting a physician about urine discoloration is important because it may indicate a direct effect of the medication on the body's elimination processes or possibly signal underlying issues that require further investigation. Changes in urine coloration, especially if dark or unusual, warrant medical evaluation to rule out any adverse reactions or complications that might arise from the use of the laxative.

While abdominal cramps can be a common and expected symptom during the use of a laxative, they are typically not a cause for alarm unless they are severe or accompanied by other concerning symptoms. Increased appetite and fatigue are less commonly associated with cascara sagrada and usually would not necessitate immediate medical notification.