A 60-year-old man has been seen for medication adjustment i due to recent admission of exacerbation of the heart failure. The patient has a history of pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale from advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.The patient is hospitalized and intravenous loop diuretic therapy is begun. Two days later, acetazolamide is added to his treatment regimen. Which of the following most likely prompted the additional therapy in this patient?

Question

A 60-year-old man has been seen for medication adjustment i due to recent admission of exacerbation of the heart failure. The patient has a history of pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale from advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.The patient is hospitalized and intravenous loop diuretic therapy is begun.  Two days later, acetazolamide is added to his treatment regimen.  Which of the following most likely prompted the additional therapy in this patient?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (eg, acetazolamide) block the reabsorption of sodium bicarbonate in the proximal tubule to cause metabolic acidosis.  These drugs can be used to help offset the metabolic alkalosis caused by loop diuretics.

A 60-Year-Old Man Has Been Seen for Medication Adjustment I