Final answer:
A nurse should instruct a client on a potassium-sparing diuretic to monitor their blood pressure regularly and limit fluid intake to prevent edema. Increasing dietary potassium is not recommended due to the risk of hyperkalemia, and taking the medication on an empty stomach is not a general requirement.
Step-by-step explanation:
When educating a client with heart failure who has a new prescription for a potassium-sparing diuretic, it is essential to discuss specific instructions regarding their medication and lifestyle changes. Potassium-sparing diuretics are a class of diuretics that do not promote the secretion of potassium into the urine, which is critical because potassium is a significant electrolyte involved in various bodily functions, including blood pressure regulation. These diuretics are often used to treat conditions such as hypertension and congestive heart failure.
The correct information to include in the teaching would be:
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- Monitor blood pressure regularly to assess the effectiveness of the medication and adjust doses if necessary, considering that diuretics can lower blood pressure.
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- Limit fluid intake to prevent edema, as heart failure clients are prone to fluid retention, and the use of diuretics aims to reduce fluid volume in the body.
The nurse should not advise the client to increase dietary intake of potassium-rich foods, as this could lead to hyperkalemia, a condition where potassium levels in the blood are higher than normal, which is a risk with potassium-sparing diuretics.
The nurse should also clarify that the medication does not necessarily need to be taken on an empty stomach unless specified by the prescribing physician or the specific medication's instructions.