Final answer:
Nurses should monitor for weak, irregular pulse and poor muscle tone in patients on loop diuretics, as these can be signs of complications like hypokalemia and hypovolemia. Loop diuretics increase urine production by inhibiting Na+ and Cl- reabsorption in the kidneys, leading to alterations in electrolytes and blood volume.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse should be alert for weak, irregular pulse and poor muscle tone in a patient receiving a loop diuretic. Loop diuretics, such as those used to treat hypertension, work by inhibiting the reabsorption of sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) ions in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle. This inhibition leads to increased excretion of these ions, which in turn pulls water into the renal tubules, leading to an increased production of urine. Alternations in electrolytes and blood volume can cause a weak, irregular pulse and poor muscle tone, which are signs of potential complications like hypokalemia (low potassium level) and hypovolemia (low blood volume).
Additionally, side effects of loop diuretics can include symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, sleep problems, nausea and vomiting, abnormal heart rhythms, low blood pressure, and muscular problems, which can manifest as muscle weakness or cramps due to the imbalances in electrolytes.