Question

A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide (Oretic) for hypertension. The nurse should instruct the client to taken the medication?

Answer 1

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic used to treat hypertension, taken typically once daily in the morning. It works by inhibiting the Na/Cl symporter in the nephron, increasing excretion of sodium and chloride alongside water, reducing blood volume and pressure. Increased urination is a side effect of its diuretic action.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hydrochlorothiazide and Hypertension

The question pertains to the administration of hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic prescribed for the treatment of hypertension. When instructing a client on the usage of hydrochlorothiazide, it is essential to communicate that this medication should be taken as directed by their healthcare provider, typically once daily, preferably in the morning to avoid disruption of sleep due to increased urination at night. Hydrochlorothiazide works by inhibiting the Na/Cl symporter in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) and collecting duct of the nephron, resulting in an increased excretion of sodium and chloride ions followed by water, thereby decreasing blood volume and pressure.

Loop diuretics, another class of diuretics, act on the ascending limb of the loop of Henle, but hydrochlorothiazide's action is more distal in the nephron. Side effects of diuretic therapy may include increased urination, which is a direct result of their mechanism of action. It is important for clients to maintain proper electrolyte balance and stay hydrated while on this medication.