Question

The nurse completed medication education with the patient who receives hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL). The nurse determines that teaching has been effective when the patient makes which statement?

1. "I really need to avoid grapefruit juice when I take this medication."
2. "I need to avoid salt substitutes and potassium-rich foods."
3. "I take my medication early in the morning."
4. "If I develop a cough, I should call my doctor."

Answer 1

The education performed by the nurse on hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL) is successful when the patient understands to take the medication early in the morning to prevent nocturia. This medication is a diuretic and can impact urine volume and potassium levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse can determine that medication education has been effective for a patient receiving hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL) when the patient states they take the medication early in the morning. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic, which increases urine volume to help reduce blood pressure, and taking it early in the day helps avoid nocturia (disruption of sleep due to the need to urinate). Statement 3, "I take my medication early in the morning," is the indication that the patient has understood the teaching. This is because diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide increase urine output, and taking the medication early prevents frequent urination at night. Additionally, since hydrochlorothiazide can cause electrolyte imbalances, specifically by reducing potassium in the body, patients are often advised to consume potassium-rich foods, which contradicts statement 2. Statement 4 is incorrect because hydrochlorothiazide doesn't typically cause a cough - that's a common side effect of ACE inhibitors. Lastly, avoiding grapefruit juice is typically associated with certain medications like statins, not diuretics.