A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving treatment for chronic alcohol use disorder.
Which of the following medications should the nurse plan to administer to assist the client in maintaining abstinence by aversion therapy?

Choice A rationale:

A urine output of 600 mL in 8 hours is within the normal range. The average urine output for adults is about 1 to 2 liters per day.

Choice B rationale:

Clonidine is an antihypertensive medication. If the client’s blood pressure is already low (88/50 mm Hg), administering clonidine could further lower the blood pressure and cause hypotension.

Choice C rationale:

A heart rate of 110/min is slightly high, but it’s not a direct indication to withhold clonidine. Clonidine can actually help lower an elevated heart rate by reducing the levels of certain chemicals in your blood.

Choice D rationale:

A blood glucose level of 70 mg/dL is at the lower end of the normal range (70-100 mg/dL) However, clonidine does not directly affect blood glucose levels, so this would not be a reason to withhold the medication.

Choice A rationale:

Hypernatremia (high sodium levels) is not a common side effect of spironolactone. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic and does not typically affect sodium levels.

Choice B rationale:

Hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) is a potential adverse effect of spironolactone. As a potassium-sparing diuretic, spironolactone can cause an increase in serum potassium levels.

Choice C rationale:

Hypophosphatemia (low phosphate levels) is not typically associated with spironolactone use.

Choice D rationale:

Hypocalcemia (low calcium levels) is also not a common side effect of spironolactone.