Final answer:
To help a client who experiences orthostatic hypotension while taking furosemide, the nurse should instruct them to sit for a few minutes before standing. This allows the cardiovascular system time to adjust to the change in posture and maintain blood pressure. Additional evaluations of fluid intake and medication adjustments may also be necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a client experiences orthostatic hypotension while receiving furosemide for hypertension, the nurse should intervene by instructing the client to sit for several minutes before standing. This intervention helps mitigate the risk of dizziness or fainting due to a rapid drop in blood pressure which can occur when standing up too quickly. Furosemide is a diuretic that can lead to decreased blood volume and subsequently cause a drop in blood pressure upon standing, a condition known as orthostatic hypotension. The nurse's guidance serves to allow the body's cardiovascular system more time to adjust to the postural change, thereby maintaining blood pressure and reducing symptoms.
Furthermore, assessing overall fluid volume status and reviewing medication effectiveness and dosage may be necessary. If issues persist, a medical review for potential adjustments to the furosemide or additional interventions to stabilize blood pressure can be considered. These may include increasing fluid intake, possibly adjusting salt intake, or reviewing the presence of any underlying conditions such as autonomic failure that may need to be addressed.