A nurse is caring for a client who has been admitted to the antepartum unit

Complete the following sentence by using the list of options. Separate the two answers using a comma.

The nurse should recognize the client is experiencing

due to

.

The correct answer is A.

Weight loss.

Furosemide is a loop diuretic that is used to treat fluid volume excess by increasing the excretion of water and electrolytes through the kidneys. Weight loss is an indication that the medication has been effective in reducing the excess fluid in the body.

Choice B is wrong because decreased inflammation is not a direct effect of furosemide.

Inflammation is a response to tissue injury or infection, and furosemide does not have any anti-inflammatory properties.

Choice C is wrong because increased blood pressure is not an indication of furosemide effectiveness.

Furosemide lowers blood pressure by reducing the preload and afterload on the heart.

Increased blood pressure may indicate that the dose of furosemide is insufficient or that there are other factors contributing to hypertension.

Choice D is wrong because decreased pain is not an expected outcome of furosemide therapy.

Furosemide does not have any analgesic effects, and pain may be caused by various conditions that are not related to fluid volume excess.

Normal ranges for weight, blood pressure and pain vary depending on the individual patient’s baseline and goals.

However, some general guidelines are:

• Weight: A weight loss of 0.5 to 1 kg per day is considered safe and effective for patients with fluid volume excess.
• Blood pressure: The target blood pressure for most patients with heart failure is less than 130/80 mmHg.
• Pain: The pain level should be assessed using a valid and reliable scale, such as the numeric rating scale or the visual analogue scale, and treated according to the patient’s preference and tolerance.

Choice A reason

The client is observed displaying a shuffling gait while walking in the hall is the correct answer. The nurse should recognize that observing a shuffling gait in a client who is taking antipsychotic medication is an adverse effect that must be reported to the healthcare provider. A shuffling gait is a movement disorder known as parkinsonism, which can be a side effect of some antipsychotic medications, particularly first-generation or typical antipsychotics.

Parkinsonism includes symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease, such as a shuffling walk, muscle stiffness, tremors, and difficulty with balance and coordination. It can occur as a result of blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, leading to an imbalance in dopamine levels.

Choice B reason:

The client mumbling quietly while alone is not correct because in the day room may be related to the symptoms of schizophrenia, and it does not indicate an adverse effect of the antipsychotic medication.

Choice C reason:

The client feeling light-headed when standing up quickly is not correct and it may be related to postural hypotension, which can be a side effect of some antipsychotic medications. While it should be monitored and reported if persistent or severe, it is not as urgent as reporting a shuffling gait.

Choice D reason:

The client stating that being in the sun hurts their eyes does not necessarily indicate an adverse effect of the antipsychotic medication. It may be related to other factors or unrelated to the medication.