A patient prescribed a thiazide diuretic for hypertension reports having cramps and feeling like the heart is skipping beats. What side effect of this drug does the nurse suspect?
a. Dizziness
b. Orthostatic hypotension
c. Hypokalemia
d. Dysrhythmia
C
A side effect of both thiazide and loop diuretics is loss of potassium resulting in hypokalemia (low blood potassium). Signs of hypokalemia include cramps, sudden decrease in urination, and irregular heartbeats.
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