A patient with heart failure (HF) develops hyperaldosteronism and spironolactone is prescribed. Which instruction should the nurse include in the patient's plan of care?
Limit the intake of foods high in potassium.
Cover your skin before going outside.
Replace salt with a salt substitute.
Monitor skin for excessive bruising.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Limit the intake of foods high in potassium: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, which means it can cause potassium levels to rise. Therefore, the nurse should advise the patient to limit the intake of potassium-rich foods to avoid hyperkalemia.
B. Cover your skin before going outside: This instruction is not specifically related to the use of spironolactone. It is more relevant for medications that cause photosensitivity or skin reactions.
C. Replace salt with a salt substitute: Many salt substitutes contain potassium, which could increase the risk of hyperkalemia when taking spironolactone. Therefore, replacing salt with a potassium-containing salt substitute is not recommended.
D. Monitor skin for excessive bruising: While monitoring for bruising is important, it is more relevant for anticoagulants or medications that affect blood clotting, not specifically for spironolactone.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Increases contractility: Metoprolol, a beta-blocker, actually decreases contractility. It reduces the force of contraction of the heart muscle, which can help reduce myocardial oxygen demand and improve outcomes after ACS. Increasing contractility would counteract the therapeutic goals of metoprolol in managing ACS.
B) Increases preload: Preload refers to the volume of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole. Metoprolol does not increase preload; rather, it reduces myocardial workload and oxygen demand, which does not directly affect preload but rather the heart's performance overall.
C) Decreases afterload: Metoprolol reduces afterload indirectly by lowering blood pressure and decreasing heart rate, which helps reduce the workload on the heart. This reduction in afterload supports the therapeutic goals of metoprolol in managing ACS by decreasing the heart's work and improving cardiac efficiency.
D) Decreases diastolic filling time: Metoprolol slows the heart rate, which can lead to increased diastolic filling time, not a decrease. Increased filling time can be beneficial as it allows the heart more time to fill with blood between beats, thereby improving cardiac output.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Limit the intake of foods high in potassium: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, which means it can cause potassium levels to rise. Therefore, the nurse should advise the patient to limit the intake of potassium-rich foods to avoid hyperkalemia.
B. Cover your skin before going outside: This instruction is not specifically related to the use of spironolactone. It is more relevant for medications that cause photosensitivity or skin reactions.
C. Replace salt with a salt substitute: Many salt substitutes contain potassium, which could increase the risk of hyperkalemia when taking spironolactone. Therefore, replacing salt with a potassium-containing salt substitute is not recommended.
D. Monitor skin for excessive bruising: While monitoring for bruising is important, it is more relevant for anticoagulants or medications that affect blood clotting, not specifically for spironolactone.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.