A nurse is unfamiliar with a medication they are preparing to administer to a client. Prior to administering the medication, the nurse should refer to which of the following resources?

A. Increased urinary output. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes diuresis by inhibiting sodium and water reabsorption in the kidneys. Increased urinary output indicates the medication is effectively reducing fluid volume, which is beneficial for clients with heart failure to decrease edema and pulmonary congestion.
B. Decreased BUN level. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels can fluctuate due to hydration status and kidney function, but a decrease in BUN is not a primary indicator of furosemide’s effectiveness. Instead, BUN levels should be monitored for potential elevation, which could indicate dehydration or renal impairment as an adverse effect of the medication.
C. Decreased hemoglobin level. Furosemide does not directly affect hemoglobin levels. A decrease in hemoglobin may indicate anemia, which is not a desired or expected effect of diuretic therapy for heart failure.
D. Increased weight of 0.91 kg (2 lb). An increase in weight suggests fluid retention, which would indicate that heart failure is worsening rather than improving. Effective furosemide therapy should lead to weight reduction due to fluid loss, not weight gain.

• Abdominal cramping: Present in ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, and Crohn's disease due to inflammation of the bowel. Ulcerative colitis affects the colon, diverticulitis involves inflamed diverticula, and Crohn’s disease can cause transmural inflammation anywhere in the GI tract.
• Diarrhea: A hallmark of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, resulting from mucosal damage and inflammation. Diverticulitis more commonly presents with constipation or alternating bowel habits rather than persistent diarrhea.
• Weight loss: Common in Crohn’s disease due to malabsorption caused by widespread GI involvement. Less likely in ulcerative colitis or diverticulitis unless there is prolonged disease progression or severe complications.
• Anemia: Present in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease due to chronic inflammation and potential GI blood loss. Less common in diverticulitis unless there is active bleeding from perforation or fistula formation.