A patient has been placed on a loop diuretic to reduce the fluid that has been accumulating in the lungs.
Which statement made by the patient indicates a need for further teaching about the medication by the nurse?
“I weigh myself each day before breakfast.”.
“If my shortness of breath returns, I’ll contact my healthcare provider.”.
“I’ll have a banana with my breakfast every morning.”.
“I’ll be sure to take my medication with supper.”.
The Correct Answer is D
Taking a loop diuretic with supper is not advisable because it can cause nocturia, which is the need to urinate frequently at night. This can disrupt sleep and affect quality of life. Loop diuretics should be taken in the morning or early afternoon to avoid this problem.
Choice A is wrong because weighing oneself each day before breakfast is a good way to monitor fluid balance and detect any signs of fluid retention or dehydration. This can help adjust the dose of the loop diuretic as needed.
Choice B is wrong because contacting the healthcare provider if shortness of breath returns is a sensible precaution and indicates awareness of the symptoms of worsening heart failure. Shortness of breath is caused by fluid accumulation in the lungs, which loop diuretics help to prevent or reduce.
Choice C is wrong because having a banana with breakfast every morning is a good source of potassium, which can help prevent hypokalemia, a common side effect of loop diuretics. Loop diuretics increase the excretion of potassium in the urine, which can lead to low blood levels of potassium and cause muscle weakness, cramps, fatigue, arrhythmias, and increased sensitivity to digoxin.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Lifestyle is the greatest contributing factor that can lead to many diseases, especially noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NCDs are responsible for 74% of all deaths worldwide, and they share four major risk factors: tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets.These modifiable behaviours increase the risk of metabolic risk factors such as raised blood pressure, increased blood glucose, elevated blood lipids and obesity, which can lead to NCDs.
Choice A is wrong because trauma is not a factor that can lead to many diseases, but rather a result of injuries or accidents that damage the body.Trauma can cause acute or chronic conditions, such as infections, bleeding, fractures, organ failure or post-traumatic stress disorder, but it is not a common cause of NCDs.
Choice C is wrong because congenital means present at birth or inherited.
Congenital diseases are caused by genetic mutations or environmental factors that affect the development of the fetus.
Some examples of congenital diseases are Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, congenital heart defects and spina bifida.
Congenital diseases are not the greatest contributing factor to many diseases because they are relatively rare and often detected early.
Choice D is wrong because genetics refers to the inherited traits from parents that influence the risk of developing certain diseases.
Genetics can play a role in some NCDs, such as cancers, diabetes and some cardiovascular diseases, but it is not the only or the most important factor.
Genetics interacts with environmental and lifestyle factors to determine the likelihood of developing a disease.
Therefore, genetics alone cannot lead to many diseases.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
This is because potassium sparing diuretics do not lower potassium levels in the blood, unlike other types of diuretics.Potassium is an essential electrolyte that serves nerve and muscular functions and is regulated by the kidneys.Low potassium levels can cause irregular heartbeats and other problems. Therefore, patients taking potassium sparing diuretics should avoid food sources that are high in potassium, such as bananas, avocados, spinach, and potatoes.
Choice A is wrong because thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, can cause low potassium levels in the blood.
Patients taking thiazide diuretics may need to take potassium supplements or eat more potassium-rich foods to prevent hypokalemia.
Choice B is wrong because osmotic diuretics, such as mannitol, do not affect potassium levels in the blood.
They work by increasing the amount of water in the urine, but do not alter the electrolyte balance.
Osmotic diuretics are mainly used to treat cerebral edema and glaucoma.
Choice D is wrong because loop diuretics, such as furosemide, can also cause low potassium levels in the blood.
They work by inhibiting the reabsorption of sodium and water in the loop of Henle, a part of the kidney.
Loop diuretics are used to treat edema and heart failure.
Normal ranges for potassium in the blood are 3.5 to 5.0 millimoles per liter (mmol/L).
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