Chapter 28: Diuretic Drugs Test, Edema – Pharmacology for Nurses: Practical Applications
The key terms in this Pharmacology course include Diuretic Drugs, Edema, Pharmacology for Nurses: Practical Applications
When monitoring a patient who has diabetes and is receiving a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor for edema, the nurse will monitor for which possible adverse effect?
Mental alertness
Hyperkalemia
Metabolic alkalosis
Elevated blood glucose
An undesirable effect of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors is that they elevate the blood glucose level and cause glycosuria in diabetic patients. They induce metabolic acidosis, making their effectiveness diminishes in 2 to 4 days. In addition, hypokalemia and drowsiness may occur.
When assessing a patient who is receiving a loop diuretic, the nurse looks for the manifestations of potassium deficiency, which would include what symptoms? (Select all that apply.)
Constipation
Dyspnea
Muscle weakness
Tinnitus
Lethargy
Anorexia
Symptoms of hypokalemia include anorexia, nausea, lethargy, muscle weakness, mental confusion, and hypotension. The other symptoms are not associated with hypokalemia.
A patient is to receive furosemide (Lasix) via a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube. The order reads, “Give furosemide, 80 mg, per PEG tube once daily.” The medication is available in a liquid form, 40 mg/5 mL. Identify how many milliliters the nurse will administer for each dose. __note: please follow the number with mL.
Correct Answer
10 mL
40 mg:5 mL :: 80 mg:x mg
(40 × x) = (5 × 80); 40x = 400; x = 10 mL
Mannitol (Osmitrol) has been ordered for a patient with acute renal failure. The nurse will administer this drug using which procedure?
Intravenously, through a filter
By mouth in a single morning dose
Through a gravity intravenous drip with standard tubing
By rapid intravenous bolus
Mannitol is administered via intravenous infusion through a filter because of possible crystallization. It is not available in oral form. The other options are incorrect.
When a patient is receiving diuretic therapy, which of these assessment measures would best reflect the patient’s fluid volume status?
Intake, output, and daily weight
Measurements of abdominal girth and calf circumference
Serum potassium and sodium levels
Blood pressure and pulse
Urinary intake and output and daily weights are the best reflections of a patient’s fluid volume status.
The nurse is monitoring a patient who is taking a potassium-sparing diuretic. Which of the drugs or drug classes may have an interaction with this type of diuretic? (Select all that apply.)
Potassium supplements
Vancomycin
NSAIDs
Lithium