STUVIA 2024/2025
Chapter 38: Diuretics
1. The nurse is preparing to administer the first dose of hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL) 50 mg to
a patient who has a blood pressure of 160/95 mm Hg. The nurse notes that the patient had a urine
output of 200 mL in the past 12 hours. The nurse will perform which action?
a. Administer the medication as ordered.
b. Encourage the patient to drink more fluids.
c. Hold the medication and request an order for serum BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine.
d. Request an order for serum electrolytes and administer the medication. - ✔✔ANS: C
Thiazide diuretics are contraindicated in renal failure. This patient has oliguria and should be
evaluated for renal failure prior to administration of the diuretic—especially in the absence of known
renal failure for this patient. Drinking more fluids will not increase urine output in patients with renal
failure.
The nurse is preparing to administer doses of hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL) and digoxin
(Lanoxin) to a patient who has heart failure. The patient reports having blurred vision. The nurse
notes a heart rate of 60 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 140/78 mm Hg. Which action will
the nurse take?
a. Administer the medications and request an order for serum electrolytes.
%
a. Give both medications and evaluate serum blood glucose frequently.
b. Hold the digoxin and notify the provider.
d. Hold the hydrochlorothiazide and notify the provider. - ✔✔ANS: C
When thiazide diuretics are taken with digoxin, patients are at risk of digoxin toxicity because
thiazides can cause hypokalemia. The patient has bradycardia and blurred vision, which are both
signs of digoxin toxicity. The nurse should hold the digoxin and notify the provider. Serum electrolytes
may be ordered, but the digoxin should not be given.
The nurse is teaching a patient about taking hydrochlorothiazide. Which statement by the patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
a. "I may need extra sodium and calcium while taking this drug."
b. "I should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables while taking this medication."
c. "I should take care when rising from a bed or chair when I'm starting this medication."
d. "I will take the medication in the morning to minimize certain side effects." - ✔✔ANS: A
Patients do not need extra sodium or calcium while taking thiazide diuretics. Thiazide diuretics can
lead to hypokalemia, so patients should be counseled to eat fruits and vegetables that are high in
potassium. Patients can develop orthostatic hypotension and should be counseled to rise from sitting
stuvia
Chapter 38: Diuretics
1. The nurse is preparing to administer the first dose of hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL) 50 mg to
a patient who has a blood pressure of 160/95 mm Hg. The nurse notes that the patient had a urine
output of 200 mL in the past 12 hours. The nurse will perform which action?
a. Administer the medication as ordered.
b. Encourage the patient to drink more fluids.
c. Hold the medication and request an order for serum BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine.
d. Request an order for serum electrolytes and administer the medication. - ✔✔ANS: C
Thiazide diuretics are contraindicated in renal failure. This patient has oliguria and should be
evaluated for renal failure prior to administration of the diuretic—especially in the absence of known
renal failure for this patient. Drinking more fluids will not increase urine output in patients with renal
failure.
The nurse is preparing to administer doses of hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL) and digoxin
(Lanoxin) to a patient who has heart failure. The patient reports having blurred vision. The nurse
notes a heart rate of 60 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 140/78 mm Hg. Which action will
the nurse take?
a. Administer the medications and request an order for serum electrolytes.
%
a. Give both medications and evaluate serum blood glucose frequently.
b. Hold the digoxin and notify the provider.
d. Hold the hydrochlorothiazide and notify the provider. - ✔✔ANS: C
When thiazide diuretics are taken with digoxin, patients are at risk of digoxin toxicity because
thiazides can cause hypokalemia. The patient has bradycardia and blurred vision, which are both
signs of digoxin toxicity. The nurse should hold the digoxin and notify the provider. Serum electrolytes
may be ordered, but the digoxin should not be given.
The nurse is teaching a patient about taking hydrochlorothiazide. Which statement by the patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
a. "I may need extra sodium and calcium while taking this drug."
b. "I should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables while taking this medication."
c. "I should take care when rising from a bed or chair when I'm starting this medication."
d. "I will take the medication in the morning to minimize certain side effects." - ✔✔ANS: A
Patients do not need extra sodium or calcium while taking thiazide diuretics. Thiazide diuretics can
lead to hypokalemia, so patients should be counseled to eat fruits and vegetables that are high in
potassium. Patients can develop orthostatic hypotension and should be counseled to rise from sitting
stuvia
