A nurse is caring for a patient with meningitis who is receiving spironolactone (Aldactone). A prescriber writes an order for potassium penicillin. What considerations should the nurse focus on prior to administration?
a. Obtain the blood pressure.
b. Obtain the serum potassium levels.
c. Assess the level of consciousness.
d. Assess the serum sodium levels.
ANS: B
Obtaining potassium levels is essential with a potassium-sparing diuretic, such as spironolactone. If the patient has evidence of hyperkalemia, the medication should be held and the prescriber notified.
Obtaining the patient's blood pressure is more important when one of the more rapidly working diuretics (e.g., furosemide) is used to treat edema secondary to pulmonary edema or heart failure.
Level of consciousness would not be a consideration prior to administration of spironolactone.
Serum sodium levels are not important as they relate to the administration of spironolactone.
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