A patient is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for hypertension and heart failure. Which statement should the nurse use to explain the purpose of this medication to the patient?
a. "The medication vasodilates the arterioles so the heart doesn't have to pump as often."
b. "Furosemide increases cardiac output so workload is decreased and the heart pumps more effectively."
c. "By removing excess water, blood pressure and then cardiac workload are lowered so the heart doesn't work so hard."
d. "Furosemide increases the blood flow to the kidneys so the normal renin-angiotensin cycle is optimized and blood pressure is lowered."
ANS: C
Furosemide (Lasix) acts on the ascending loop of Henle in the kidney to cause sodium and water loss. This will reduce the cardiac workload caused by the heart failure. A. Furosemide is not a vasodilator. B. Furosemide does not increase cardiac output. D. Furosemide does not impact the blood flow to the kidney.
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