Chapter 51: Diuretic Agents

A client asks, "Why is my prescription being switched from furosemide to spironolactone?" What is the nurse's best response?

"You will lose less potassium with spironolactone than with furosemide."

A male client is prescribed potassium-sparing diuretics to treat his disease process. During his annual visit to the health care provider, he reports experiencing muscle weakness and tingling in his fingers. What does the nurse suspect is wrong with this client?

Hyperkalemia

A health care provider has prescribed a loop diuretic for a client with hypertension. The client also has diabetes mellitus. What condition should the nurse monitor for in this client after administering the prescribed drug?

Increased blood glucose levels

A client is diagnosed with increased intracranial pressure. Which would the nurse expect to be ordered?

Mannitol

What would contraindicate the use of indapamide?

Renal disease

A nurse is providing care to a client who is to receive acetazolamide for epilepsy. Before administering this drug, the nurse would assess which of the following?

Vital signs and weight

After teaching a patient about the action of spironolactone, the nurse determines that the teaching was successful when the patient states:

"I need to make sure I don't eat too many high potassium foods."

Which instruction would be most appropriate for a client who is taking a diuretic?

"It's okay to take it with food."

After teaching a group of nursing students about diuretics, the instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the group identifies which as a loop diuretic?

Furosemide

An older adult client has a complex medical history that includes heart failure, type 1 diabetes, and diabetic nephropathy. The nurse has questioned a health care provider's prescription for oral spironolactone because the client's health problems would contribute to a high risk of which adverse reaction?

Hyperkalemia

The nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing elevated intracranial pressure following neurosurgery. The health care provider orders an osmotic diuretic to reduce pressure. Which medication would the nurse expect to be ordered?

Mannitol

A client is unconscious and experiencing increasing intracranial pressure. What type of diuretic will the client most likely be prescribed?

Osmotic diuretic

A 91-year-old client, who is being prepared for discharge, has been prescribed the diuretic spironolactone. While teaching the client about the drug, what major adverse effect should the nurse be sure to mention?

Hyperkalemia

When describing where bumetanide acts, what would the nurse include?

Loop of Henle

A male client has cirrhosis and is receiving diuretic therapy. The nurse knows that what drug will help prevent metabolic alkalosis or hypokalemia in this client?

Spironolactone

A 49-year-old client reports frequent muscle cramps while on hydrochlorothiazide therapy. The nurse would advise the client to do which?

eat potassium-rich foods.

The nurse is providing education to a client prescribed furosemide 20 mg PO. The nurse should teach the client that a diet high in sodium will cause what effect?

Decreased diuresis

A client with renal impairment is in need of a diuretic. Because of the renal problem, potassium-sparing diuretics are contraindicated but may be used if there is no other option. If they are used at all, what nursing intervention would be most important for this client?

Monitoring of serum electrolytes, creatinine, and BUN

A health care provider prescribes spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic, for a client with cirrhosis. For which category of clients is the use of potassium-sparing diuretics contraindicated?

hyperkalemia

A client is receiving hydrochlorothiazide. The nurse would expect to administer this drug by which route?

oral