Question

The nurse is instructing a patient on the importance of eating foods rich in potassium while taking a diuretic that causes hypokalemia. Which diuretics do not require potassium supplements? Select all that apply.

1. Furosemide (Lasix)
2. Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
3. Amiloride (Midamor)
4. Mannitol (Osmitrol)
5. Spironolactone (Aldactone)

Answer 1

Potassium-sparing diuretics such as Amiloride (Midamor) and Spironolactone (Aldactone) do not generally require additional potassium supplements. Other diuretics like Furosemide (Lasix) and Chlorothiazide (Diuril) can cause potassium loss and may require potassium supplementation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking about diuretics that do not require potassium supplements when used. Some diuretics can lead to hypokalemia, a condition where the potassium levels in the blood are lower than normal. Knowing which diuretics do not require additional potassium supplementation is important for managing patient care.

Diuretics that do not usually require potassium supplementation are those known as potassium-sparing diuretics. Among the options provided, the diuretics that are potassium-sparing and, therefore, usually do not require additional potassium supplements are:

• Amiloride (Midamor)
• Spironolactone (Aldactone)

Diuretics such as Furosemide (Lasix), Chlorothiazide (Diuril), and Mannitol (Osmitrol) are not potassium-sparing and can lead to potassium loss, thereby potentially necessitating potassium supplementation to prevent hypokalemia.