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Questions with answers |\ |\
A patient is brought to the emergency department with
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shortness of breath, a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per
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minute, intercostal retractions, and frothy, pink sputum.
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The nurse caring for this patient will expect to administer
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which drug?|\
a.Furosemide (Lasix) |\
b.Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL) |\
c.Mannitol (Osmitrol) |\
d.Spironolactone (Aldactone) - CORRECT ANSWERS |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
✔✔a.Furosemide (Lasix) |\
Furosemide, a potent diuretic, is used when rapid or |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
massive mobilization of fluids is needed. This patient
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shows severe signs of congestive heart failure with
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respiratory distress and pulmonary edema and needs
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immediate mobilization of fluid. Hydrochlorothiazide and
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spironolactone are not indicated for pulmonary edema, |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
because their diuretic effects are less rapid. Mannitol is
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indicated for patients with increased intracranial pressure
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and must be discontinued immediately if signs of
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pulmonary congestion or heart failure occur. |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
,A patient who is taking digoxin is admitted to the hospital
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for treatment of congestive heart failure. The prescriber
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has ordered furosemide (Lasix). The nurse notes an
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irregular heart rate of 86 beats per minute, a respiratory
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rate of 22 breaths per minute, and a blood pressure of
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130/82 mm Hg. The nurse auscultates crackles in both
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lungs. Which laboratory value causes the nurse the most
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concern?
a.Blood glucose level of 120 mg/dL |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
b.Oxygen saturation of 90% |\ |\ |\
c.Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L |\ |\ |\ |\
d.Sodium level of 140 mEq/L - CORRECT ANSWERS |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
✔✔c.Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L |\ |\ |\ |\
This patient has an irregular, rapid heartbeat that might
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be caused by a dysrhythmia. This patient's serum
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potassium level is low, which can trigger fatal |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
dysrhythmias, especially in patients taking digoxin. |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
Furosemide contributes to loss of potassium through its |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
effects on the distal nephron. Potassium-sparing diuretics
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often are used in conjunction with furosemide to prevent
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this complication. This patient's serum glucose and
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sodium levels are normal and of no concern at this point,
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although they can be affected by furosemide. The oxygen
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,saturation is somewhat low and needs to be monitored,
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although it may improve with diuresis.
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A patient has 2+ pitting edema of the lower extremities
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bilaterally. Auscultation of the lungs reveals crackles
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bilaterally, and the serum potassium level is 6 mEq/L.
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Which diuretic agent ordered by the prescriber should the
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nurse question?
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a.Bumetanide (Bumex) |\
b.Furosemide (Lasix) |\
c.Spironolactone (Aldactone) |\
d.Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL) - CORRECT |\ |\ |\ |\
ANSWERS ✔✔c.Spironolactone (Aldactone) |\ |\
Spironolactone is a non-potassium-wasting diuretic; |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
therefore, if the patient has a serum potassium level of 6
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mEq/L, indicating hyperkalemia, an order for this drug
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should be questioned. Bumetanide, furosemide, and
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hydrochlorothiazide are potassium-wasting diuretics and |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
would be appropriate to administer in a patient with
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hyperkalemia.
A nurse preparing to administer morning medications
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notes that a patient with a history of hypertension has
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been prescribed the angiotensin-converting enzyme
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, (ACE) inhibitor captopril (Capoten) concurrently with
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spironolactone (Aldactone). Morning laboratory results |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
reveal a serum sodium level of 144 mg/dL, a serum
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potassium level of 5.1 mEq/L, and a blood glucose level of |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
128 mg/dL. Which intervention is appropriate?
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a.Administer the medications as ordered. |\ |\ |\ |\
b.Ask the patient about the use of salt substitutes.
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c.Contact the provider to report the laboratory values. |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
d.Request an order for furosemide (Lasix). - CORRECT |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
ANSWERS ✔✔c.Contact the provider to report the |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
laboratory values. |\
Spironolactone should not be administered with ACE |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
inhibitors, which can also elevate potassium levels. |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
Because the potassium level is elevated, the nurse should|\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
not administer the medication and should obtain
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clarification of the order. There is no need to repeat the |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
potassium level test that was just done this morning. |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
Requesting an order for furosemide is appropriate only |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
after the provider has been notified of the laboratory
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values.
A patient with hypertension is taking furosemide (Lasix)
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for congestive heart failure. The prescriber orders digoxin
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to help increase cardiac output. What other medication
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will the nurse expect to be ordered for this patient?
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