Question

The physician prescribes the patient a loop diuretic. As the nurse you know that this type of diuretic causes diuresis by MAINLY affecting what structure in the nephron?*

A. Distal convoluted tubule
B. Descending limb of the loop of Henle
C. Proximal convoluted tubule
D. Ascending limb of the loop of Henle

Answer 1

Loop diuretics mainly affect the ascending limb of the loop of Henle by inhibiting the reabsorption of Na+ and Cl- ions, leading to increased urine production. The correct answer is option D.

Step-by-step explanation:

The physician prescribes the patient a loop diuretic. As the nurse you know that this type of diuretic causes diuresis by MAINLY affecting the ascending limb of the loop of Henle. Loop diuretics inhibit the reabsorption of sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) ions in this part of the nephron, which results in increased urine output, or diuresis. The ascending limb of the loop of Henle is crucial for the concentration of urine, as it normally reabsorbs these ions and thus reduces the volume of urine.


When loop diuretics prevent this reabsorption, more ions remain in the nephron, resulting in more water being excreted as urine due to osmosis. Therefore, the correct answer to the given question is D. Ascending limb of the loop of Henle.