Question

You're educating a group of new nurse graduates about loop diuretics. One topic you discuss is ototoxicity. You ask the new nurses to explain how to prevent this adverse side effect in a patient prescribed a loop diuretic. Which response by one of the new nurses is correct?*

A. "Always administer intravenous loop diuretics slowly."
B. "Monitor for signs and symptoms of low potassium levels because this increases the risk of inner ear damage while taking loop diuretics."
C. "Administer the medication with meals."
D. "Avoid administering loop diuretics with a tetracycline."

Answer 1

The correct response to prevent ototoxicity when administering loop diuretics is to administer them slowly, especially intravenously, to prevent rapid shifts in inner ear fluid and electrolyte balance that can lead to auditory damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct response by the new nurse is A. "Always administer intravenous loop diuretics slowly." This method can help to prevent the adverse side effect of ototoxicity associated with these medications. Ototoxicity may lead to hearing loss, tinnitus, or imbalance due to damage to the structures of the inner ear. Loop diuretics such as furosemide can cause rapid changes in blood and fluid flow within the inner ear, increasing the risk of auditory damage.

Loop diuretics work by inhibiting the reabsorption of sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) ions within the ascending limb of the loop of Henle in the kidneys. This process increases urine production, ultimately reducing fluid retention and lowering blood pressure. However, this comes with the potential of side effects such as ototoxicity, which is particularly relevant when these medications are administered rapidly or in high doses.