Chapter 51: Diuretic Agents
A patient with a longstanding diagnosis of chronic renal failure has experienced a significant decline in urine output in recent days, prompting him to seek care at a local clinic. A nurse at the clinic has suggested to a colleague that the administration of a diuretic such as hydrochlorothiazide may improve the patient's urine output. How should the colleague best respond to this suggestion?
"Actually, patients with renal failure usually can't take hydrochlorothiazide."
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."
The nurse is teaching a 62-year-old client about hydrochlorothiazide, which the health care provider has prescribed for treatment of hypertension. What statement, made by the client, suggests that the client understands the teaching?
"I will need to stand slowly."
Which instruction would be most appropriate for a client who is taking a diuretic?
"It's okay to take it with food."
What information should the nurse discuss with the client considering pregnancy regarding the use of a diuretic during pregnancy?
"Typically, women on diuretics prior to becoming pregnant can remain on the medication during their pregnancy."
A patient is switched from furosemide (Lasix) to spironolactone (Aldactone). The patient asks the nurse why she has been switched to a new medicine. What is the best answer that will provide patient education regarding the change?
"You will lose less potassium with spironolactone than with furosemide."
A client receives a dose of furosemide intravenously at 8:00 AM. The nurse would expect this drug to exert is peak effects at which time?
8:30 AM
A patient receives furosemide intravenously at 9 AM. The nurse would expect to assess peak effects of the drug at which time?
9:30 AM
A nurse is caring for a client with acute renal failure. The health care provider has prescribed a diuretic therapy for the client to promote dieresis. What intervention should the nurse perform to prevent the inconvenience caused by increased urination?
Administer the drug early in the day.
The pharmacology instructor is discussing the various diuretic agents and their sites of action in the nephron. In what part of the nephron do thiazide diuretics act?
Distal tubule
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
After teaching a group of students about loop diuretics, the instructor determines that the teaching has been successful when the students identify which agent as the safest for use in the home?
Furosemide
As part of a class presentation, a nursing student is describing the actions of the different diuretics. Which medication would the student include as exerting its diuretic effect by inhibiting the reabsorption of sodium and chloride ions in the ascending portion of the loop of Henle and the early distal tubule of the nephron?
Hydrochlorothiazide
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
A client who has been taking hydrochlorothiazide arrives at the clinic for his 1-month follow-up appointment. The client tells the nurse that he feels weaker since he began taking the drug. What should the nurse consider as a possible cause of these symptoms?
Hypokalemia
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 female client is diagnosed with hyponatremia. What type of diuretic would most likely cause this symptom?
Loop
A client is diagnosed with increased intracranial pressure. Which would the nurse expect to be ordered?
Mannitol
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 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 client is receiving hydrochlorothiazide. The nurse would expect to administer this drug by which route?
Oral
The pharmacology instructor is discussing the differences among the various diuretic agents. Which would the instructor cite as a difference between spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide?
Potassium losses are greater with hydrochlorothiazide than with spironolactone.
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 nurse is preparing to administer a diuretic that antagonizes the action of aldosterone. Which drug would the nurse be most likely to administer?
Spironolactone
A client, prescribed digoxin and furosemide, is at risk for developing which adverse effect?
digoxin toxicity
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.
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 health care provider has prescribed triamterene to a male client with renal disease. The client informs the nurse that he is taking potassium supplements to address some heart problems. The nurse would be alert for:
increased risk of hyperkalemia.
A client is unconscious and experiencing increasing intracranial pressure. What type of diuretic will the client most likely be prescribed?
osmotic diuretic
A client who been prescribed long-term diuretic therapy. Which statement demonstrates an understanding of the importance of self-monitoring to identify fluid-related issues? Select all that apply.
"I know it's important to weigh myself daily." "I take my scale with me when I stay overnight with friends."
An elderly patient with a history of congestive heart failure has been admitted to hospital with failure to thrive and admission blood work reveals a hemoglobin level of 6.9 g/dL. The care team has consequently administered two units of packed red blood cells, but auscultation of the client's lungs now reveals diffuse crackles. Administration of what drug is likely to resolve the patient's pulmonary edema?
Furosemide
When describing where bumetanide acts, what would the nurse include?
Loop of Henle
Why would potassium-sparing diuretics be contraindicated for clients experiencing renal failure?
They may cause hyperkalemia.
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
What substance is reabsorbed in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle?
sodium
