A patient is diagnosed with hypertension.
What is the initial recommendation for this patient likely to be?

Furosemide is a diuretic that lowers blood pressure and increases urine output. It also causes potassium loss, which can lead to hypokalemia (low potassium levels). The patient’s blood pressure is already low when sitting, and the serum potassium is below the normal range of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. Administering furosemide could worsen these conditions and cause adverse effects such as dehydration, dizziness, muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and renal impairment. Therefore, the nurse should contact the provider before giving the medication and report the vital signs and laboratory results.

Choice A. Administer medication is wrong because it could harm the patient as explained above.

Choice C. Hold medication until next dose is wrong because it does not address the underlying problem of fluid retention and hypokalemia.

The nurse should not delay notifying the provider about the patient’s condition.

Choice D. Check urine output before giving medication is wrong because it is not enough to ensure the patient’s safety.

The nurse should also check the blood pressure and serum potassium levels, which are more critical indicators of the patient’s status.

Terazosin is a medication that belongs to the class of alpha-adrenergic blockers, which relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.It also lowers blood pressure by relaxing the veins and arteries, allowing blood to flow more easily.Therefore, terazosin can cause dizziness or fainting, especially when getting up from a sitting or lying position.To prevent this, the patient should rise slowly and avoid standing for long periods or becoming overheated.

Choice B is wrong because terazosin is not a cure for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but a symptom reliever.Stopping the medication may cause the urinary problems to return or worsen.

The patient should continue taking terazosin as prescribed by the doctor, unless advised otherwise.

Choice C is wrong because decreasing fluid intake may increase the risk of dehydration, urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and kidney problems.

The patient should drink enough fluids to stay hydrated and flush out the urinary system.

Choice D is wrong because grapefruit juice may interact with terazosin and increase its blood levels, leading to more side effects such as low blood pressure, drowsiness, or headache.

The patient should avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking terazosin, or consult the doctor before doing so.