The nurse is preparing to administer 40 mg of IV furosemide. Prior to administering the medication, the nurse should assess which parameters? Select all that apply.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Loop diuretics (furosemide, torsemide, bumetanide) are used to treat fluid retention, such as that found in clients with heart failure or cirrhosis. When administering loop diuretics, the nurse can expect the client's kidneys to excrete a significant amount of water and potassium. When potassium is excreted at a fast rate, the client could develop hypokalemia, a medical emergency that can result in other life-threatening complications such as heart arrythmias, as well as muscle cramps and weakness (Option D). Blood pressure should also be assessed prior to administration of loop diuretics as excess diuresis may cause intravascular volume depletion that results in low blood pressure. A client with baseline hypotension may develop a critically low blood pressure. Excess diuresis can also affect kidneys, and the blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels can become elevated as well. Therefore, these levels should be assessed (Options A and B). (Options C and E) Loop diuretics typically do not cause abnormalities in white blood cell counts or liver function tests, so these do not need to be assessed routinely. Educational objective: When administering furosemide, it is important to closely monitor the client's vital signs, serum electrolytes (potassium), and kidney function tests (blood urea nitrogen, creatinine) prior to administration to prevent side effects such as hypokalemia, hypotension, and kidney injury.

The Nurse Is Preparing to Administer 40 Mg of IV