A patient with chronic congestive heart failure has repeated hospitalizations in spite of ongoing treatment with hydrochlorothiazide [HydroDIURIL] and digoxin
The prescriber has ordered spironolactone [Aldactone] to be added to this patient's drug regimen, and the nurse provides education about this medication. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching? a. "I can expect improvement within a few hours after taking this drug."
b. "I need to stop taking potassium supple-ments."
c. "I should use salt substitutes to prevent toxic side effects."
d. "I should watch closely for dehydration."
B
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic used to counter the potassium-wasting effects of hydrochlorothiazides. Patients taking potassium supplements are at risk for hyperkalemia when taking this medication, so they should be advised to stop the supplements. Spironolactone takes up to 48 hours to have effects. Salt substitutes contain high levels of potassium and are contrain-dicated. Spironolactone is a weak diuretic, so the risk of dehydration is not increased.
You might also like to view...
The nurse is caring for a patient in the hospital. The patient states, "No matter what happens to me, I believe my path is already predetermined. Nothing is going to change my destiny." This patient is most likely exhibiting:
a. Fatalism b. Hopelessness c. Lack of faith d. Self-pity
Which of the following is predominantly an intrapersonal characteristic?
a. Affiliation c. Achievement b. Power d. Empowerment
Identify the primary distinction between nursing diagnosis and medical diagnosis
a. Nursing diagnosis is based on information gathered from the assessment of the client. b. Medical diagnosis identifies client care problems that affect the whole client. c. Nursing diagnosis identifies client prob-lems that nurses can treat independently. d. Medical diagnosis is vague and confusing.
What do changing norms and values about family life in the United States reveal?
a. Basic shifts in attitudes in our society b. Greater resistance to cohabitation without marriage c. Decreased numbers of infants born to unmarried women d. Greater support and acceptance from the health care system