Question

The nurse is performing discharge medication with a client who will be taking the loop diuretic furosemide (lasix) 40 mg orally once a day at home. which instructions should the nurse include?

a. "take the medication with food and limit fluid intake"
b. "take your lasix at bedtime to minimize side effects"
c. "avoid taking your lasix with orange juice"
d. "take this medication with your breakfast"

Answer 1

The nurse should instruct the client to take furosemide with breakfast to ensure the diuretic effect takes place during daytime hours and to reduce potential gastrointestinal side effects.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the nurse is performing discharge education for a client taking furosemide (Lasix), several important instructions should be included to ensure the safe and effective use of this medication. As a loop diuretic, furosemide acts on the ascending limb of the loop of Henle in the kidneys to inhibit the reabsorption of sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) ions, leading to increased urine production as more fluid is excreted.

The correct instruction a nurse should include is:

“Take this medication with your breakfast.”

This allows the diuretic effect to occur during the day, reducing the risk of nocturia (nighttime urination) that can disturb sleep. Additionally, taking furosemide with food can help mitigate gastrointestinal discomfort.