Final answer:
Furosemide is a loop diuretic used in heart failure management, which increases urination by preventing the reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the kidneys. This results in decreased blood volume and pressure, which is beneficial for patients with heart failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
NCLEX Tip for Furosemide Use in Heart Failure:
Furosemide, a loop diuretic, is frequently prescribed for the management of worsening heart failure (HF). It works by inhibiting the reabsorption of sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) ions in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle within the kidneys. This inhibition leads to increased urine production, as Na and Cl are retained in the nephron which osmotically pulls water into the urine, preventing its reabsorption and thus increasing urine output.
Loop diuretics like furosemide are crucial in treating conditions such as heart failure where fluid overload contributes to worsening symptoms. By promoting the loss of excessive fluid, furosemide helps to decrease blood volume and pressure, alleviating stress on the heart. The increased urination is a direct result of the prevention of salt reabsorption, a key action of loop diuretics, which mandates that water follows due to osmotic forces.