Question

A patient complains, "My allergies make me sneeze and urinate in my pants. I take my allergy drug and I urinate in my pants even more." The nurse assesses that the drug the patient is referring to is a(n) _____.

a. Diuretic
b. Antihistamine
c. Antibiotic
d. Analgesic

Answer 1

The patient's medication that prompts increased urination is likely a diuretic. Diuretics increase urine output by acting on the kidneys' loop of Henle to inhibit Na+ and Cl- reabsorption. Antihistamines are usually prescribed for allergies and generally do not cause increased urination.

Step-by-step explanation:

The drug that the patient refers to is likely a diuretic. Diuretics are commonly prescribed to treat conditions such as hypertension and they work by inhibiting the reabsorption of sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) ions in the loop of Henle within the kidneys, which leads to increased urine production. This effect can explain why the frequency of urination increases when the patient takes their allergy drug.

However, for allergies specifically, antihistamines are typically prescribed. These medications work to combat the effects of histamines in the body, which are responsible for allergy symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, and watery, itchy eyes. If a patient's allergy medication is causing them to urinate more frequently, it's possible that the formulation they are taking includes a diuretic component, which might be indicated for managing other concurrent medical conditions or as part of a combination therapy approach.