Question

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who recently began taking furosemide. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

a.Increase dietary potassium while taking the medication.
b.Lie down for 30 min after taking the medication.
c.Take the medication 30 min before going to bed.
d.Avoid taking the medication with dairy products.

Answer 1

When teaching a client who has started taking furosemide, the nurse should advise increasing dietary potassium to mitigate the potential depletion caused by the diuretic's increased urine production.

Step-by-step explanation:

The instruction that should be included when a nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who recently began taking furosemide is to increase dietary potassium while taking the medication.

Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause depletion of potassium, among other electrolytes, because it inhibits the reabsorption of sodium and chloride ions by the ascending limb of the loop of Henle, which leads to increased urination and potential loss of potassium. Therefore, to counteract the possible depletion of potassium, it is advised to increase its intake through diet.