A client with a history of heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which assessment finding indicates the medication is effective?
Increased urine output
Elevated blood pressure
Increased heart rate
Weight gain
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, promotes urine output by inhibiting sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, reducing fluid overload in heart failure. Increased urine output indicates effective diuresis, alleviating pulmonary and peripheral edema, making it the primary sign of therapeutic efficacy.
Choice B reason: Elevated blood pressure is not an expected effect of furosemide, which reduces preload and blood volume, often lowering pressure. Effective diuresis is shown by increased urine output, as this directly reflects fluid removal, critical for heart failure management.
Choice C reason: Increased heart rate is not a direct indicator of furosemide efficacy. Diuresis reduces cardiac workload, potentially stabilizing heart rate, but urine output is the primary measure, as it confirms fluid excretion, the medication’s main action in heart failure.
Choice D reason: Weight gain indicates fluid retention, the opposite of furosemide’s goal. Effective diuresis causes weight loss due to fluid excretion. Increased urine output is the key sign, as it directly measures the diuretic’s action in reducing heart failure-related fluid overload.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Chronic constipation and serum gastrin levels are not directly relevant to acute pancreatitis. Constipation may indicate gastrointestinal issues, but gastrin primarily relates to gastric acid secretion. These do not confirm pancreatitis or guide acute management, unlike amylase levels, which are diagnostic for pancreatic inflammation.
Choice B reason: Helicobacter pylori antibodies indicate gastric infection, unrelated to pancreatitis, which involves pancreatic inflammation. Urine output is a general vital sign but not specific to pancreatitis diagnosis. Amylase and symptom severity are more critical for confirming and managing acute pancreatitis, making this less valuable.
Choice C reason: Bowel sounds and abdominal pain degree provide general information but are nonspecific. Pain is expected in pancreatitis, and bowel sounds may vary. Serum amylase and nausea/vomiting severity are more diagnostic, directly reflecting pancreatic inflammation and its systemic effects, making them more critical to report.
Choice D reason: Serum amylase levels are a key diagnostic marker for acute pancreatitis, as pancreatic inflammation releases amylase into the blood. Severity of nausea and vomiting reflects disease impact and fluid loss, guiding treatment. These are the most valuable data for reporting, as they confirm diagnosis and inform management.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Monitoring daily urine output assesses kidney function and fluid balance, as urine volume reflects hydration and electrolyte homeostasis. Inadequate output signals dehydration or renal issues, allowing timely intervention to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, making it the most effective nursing action.
Choice B reason: Salt tablets after exercise replace sodium lost in sweat but are not a universal intervention for fluid and electrolyte balance. They risk hypernatremia if overused. Monitoring urine output is more comprehensive, as it directly evaluates fluid status across various clinical scenarios.
Choice C reason: Reviewing food labels for sodium content helps manage dietary intake but is indirect and patient-dependent. Urine output monitoring provides objective data on fluid and electrolyte status, enabling timely adjustments in therapy, making it a more immediate and reliable intervention.
Choice D reason: Drinking water when thirsty supports hydration but relies on subjective thirst, which may be impaired in certain conditions. Monitoring urine output objectively assesses fluid balance, detecting imbalances early, making it a more proactive and precise intervention than thirst-driven hydration.
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