A nurse is planning care for a client who has overhydration and hyponatremia. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan? (Select all that apply.)

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:

Dextrose 5% in water (D5W) is a hypotonic solution that provides free water and calories, but no electrolytes. It is used to treat hypernatremia and cellular dehydration, but it can cause fluid shifts from the intravascular to the intracellular space, leading to cerebral edema and decreased blood pressure. This is not appropriate for a client who has dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea, as they need to restore their intravascular volume and electrolyte balance.

Choice B reason:

Lactated Ringer's (LR) is an isotonic solution that contains sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and lactate. It is used to treat fluid loss from burns, trauma, surgery, or sepsis. It also helps to correct metabolic acidosis by providing bicarbonate precursors. This is the best choice for a client who has dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea, as they need to replace their fluid and electrolyte losses and maintain their acid-base balance.

Choice C reason:

Dextrose 5% in 0.45% sodium chloride (D5W/0.45% NaCl) is a hypertonic solution that provides free water, calories, and sodium. It is used to treat hypovolemia and hyponatremia, but it can cause fluid shifts from the intracellular to the intravascular space, leading to cellular dehydration and increased blood pressure. This is not appropriate for a client who has dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea, as they already have low blood pressure and cellular dehydration.

Choice D reason:

Dextrose 5% in lactated Ringer's (D5LR) is a hypertonic solution that provides free water, calories, sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and lactate. It is used to treat hypovolemia and metabolic acidosis, but it can cause fluid shifts from the intracellular to the intravascular space, leading to cellular dehydration and increased blood pressure. This is not appropriate for a client who has dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea, as they already have low blood pressure and cellular dehydration.