Question

The nurse is preparing to discharge a patient who has been placed on a loop diuretic for the treatment of congestive heart failure. Which foods should the nurse encourage the patient to consume to prevent serious adverse effects associated with the medication?

Select all that apply.
1. Bananas
2. Red meat
3. Oranges
4. Dried dates
5. Green, leafy vegetables

Answer 1

Loop diuretics inhibit reabsorption of sodium and water, leading to increased urination. Eating foods rich in potassium, like bananas and oranges, can help prevent adverse effects of the medication. Avoiding high sodium foods like red meat and dried dates is also recommended.

Step-by-step explanation:

Loop diuretics are drugs that inhibit the reabsorption of Na+ and Cl- ions by the ascending limb of the loop of Henle in the nephron. One of the side effects of loop diuretics is increased urination. This occurs because the drugs prevent the reabsorption of sodium and water, leading to more fluid being excreted as urine. In order to prevent serious adverse effects associated with loop diuretics, the nurse should encourage the patient to consume foods that are rich in potassium. Bananas and oranges are good sources of potassium and can help prevent potassium depletion caused by the medication. On the other hand, red meat and dried dates are not recommended since they are high in sodium and can exacerbate the effects of the diuretic. Green, leafy vegetables can also be beneficial because they contain nutrients such as magnesium and calcium that can help prevent electrolyte imbalances.