A nurse is caring for a client who has metabolic acidosis due to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) Which of the following manifestations should the nurse monitor?

Choice A reason:

Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic that may reduce the potassium level in your blood. To counteract the loss of potassium, you should try to eat enough potassium-rich foods in your diet. Some examples of potassium-rich foods include bananas, orange juice, apricots, acorn squash, butternut squash, Hubbard squash, prunes, raisins, and bran products.

Choice B reason:

Furosemide is used to treat high blood pressure and edema by causing the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine. To enhance the effect of furosemide and prevent fluid retention, you should decrease intake of foods high in sodium. Some examples of sodium-rich foods include processed meats, canned soups, pickles, cheese, salted nuts, and snack foods.

Choice C reason:

Furosemide does not affect the calcium level in your blood significantly. Therefore, there is no need to increase intake of foods high in calcium when taking furosemide. However, you should still consume adequate amounts of calcium for your bone health and other functions. Some examples of calcium-rich foods include milk, yogurt, cheese, broccoli, kale, and fortified cereals.

Choice D reason:

Furosemide does not affect the protein level in your blood significantly. Therefore, there is no need to decrease intake of foods high in protein when taking furosemide. However, you should still consume moderate amounts of protein for your muscle health and other functions. Some examples of protein-rich foods include eggs, fish, poultry, meat, beans, nuts, and seeds.

Choice E reason:

Furosemide can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance by increasing urine output. Therefore, you should increase intake of fluids as tolerated to prevent these complications. You should drink enough water to keep your urine clear or pale yellow. You should also avoid alcohol and caffeine as they can worsen dehydration.

Choice A reason:

Crystalloid solutions are fluids that contain electrolytes and can diffuse across semipermeable membranes. They are used to treat dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and hypovolemia. However, they are not as effective as colloids in expanding the intravascular volume and maintaining the blood pressure. Therefore, choice A is incorrect.

Choice B reason:

Colloid solutions are fluids that contain large molecules such as proteins, starches, or gelatin that cannot cross the capillary membrane. They exert an osmotic pressure that draws fluid from the interstitial and intracellular spaces into the intravascular space. They are used to treat hypovolemic shock, burns, and hemorrhage. Albumin is a type of colloid solution that is derived from human plasma and contains 5% or 25% protein. It increases the plasma volume and the blood pressure by increasing the oncotic pressure. Therefore, choice B is correct.

Choice C reason:

Hypertonic solutions are fluids that have a higher osmolarity than the blood plasma. They draw water out of the cells and into the intravascular space. They are used to treat hyponatremia, cerebral edema, and severe dehydration. However, they can cause fluid overload, hypertension, and cellular dehydration if given in excess. Therefore, choice C is incorrect.

Choice D reason:

Hypotonic solutions are fluids that have a lower osmolarity than the blood plasma. They provide free water and electrolytes to the cells and the interstitial space. They are used to treat hypernatremia, cellular dehydration, and fluid loss due to burns or diuresis. However, they can cause fluid shifts from the intravascular space to the interstitial and intracellular spaces, resulting in hypovolemia, hypotension, and edema. Therefore, choice D is incorrect.