Question

a health care provider prescribes diuretic therapy to a client with nephrotic syndrome. the client experiences hyponatremia as an effect of the therapy. which symptom of hyponatremia should the nurse monitor for in the client?

Answer 1

When a client experiences hyponatremia as a result of diuretic therapy, nurses should monitor for symptoms such as headache, confusion, lethargy, and in severe cases, seizures or coma. Loop diuretics can inhibit sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, leading to increased urination and potential sodium loss.

Step-by-step explanation:

A health care provider prescribes diuretic therapy to a client with nephrotic syndrome. If the client experiences hyponatremia as a side effect of the therapy, a nurse should monitor for symptoms such as headache, confusion, lethargy, and in severe cases, seizures or coma. Hyponatremia is a condition characterized by a lower-than-normal concentration of sodium in the blood, which can lead to cell swelling and neurological symptoms due to the movement of water into brain cells.

The use of diuretics, particularly loop diuretics, can inhibit the reabsorption of sodium and chloride ions in the kidneys, leading to increased urination and potential loss of sodium. This can exacerbate conditions that cause edema or congestive heart failure, resulting in hyponatremia. Therefore, careful monitoring is essential when a patient is prescribed diuretic therapy.