Advanced Diuretics and Electrolyte Drugs
Test Bank – Verified 150 Q&A Set
2025/2026
1. Which diuretic works primarily in the distal convoluted tubule?
a) Furosemide
b) Mannitol
c) Hydrochlorothiazide
d) Spironolactone
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, act on the
distal convoluted tubule to inhibit sodium and chloride reabsorption,
promoting water excretion.
2. The primary mechanism of action of loop diuretics is:
a) Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase
b) Inhibition of the Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ symporter in the ascending loop
of Henle
c) Antagonism of aldosterone
d) Osmotic diuresis
Rationale: Loop diuretics inhibit the Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ symporter in the thick
ascending limb of the loop of Henle, leading to significant sodium,
chloride, and water excretion.
3. Spironolactone is classified as a:
a) Loop diuretic
b) Thiazide diuretic
c) Osmotic diuretic
d) Potassium-sparing diuretic (aldosterone antagonist)
,Rationale: Spironolactone blocks aldosterone receptors in the distal
nephron, reducing sodium and water reabsorption while conserving
potassium.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with
thiazide diuretics?
a) Hyperkalemia
b) Hypokalemia
c) Hypermagnesemia
d) Hypernatremia
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics increase renal potassium excretion, which
can lead to hypokalemia.
5. Mannitol is contraindicated in patients with:
a) Heart failure
b) Active intracranial bleeding
c) Hyperkalemia
d) Hypertension
Rationale: Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that can increase
intravascular volume initially, worsening conditions like active
intracranial bleeding or pulmonary edema.
6. A patient on furosemide develops tinnitus. This adverse effect is
likely due to:
a) Hyperkalemia
b) Ototoxicity
c) Hyponatremia
d) Hypercalcemia
Rationale: High doses or rapid IV administration of loop diuretics can
cause ototoxicity, presenting as tinnitus or hearing loss.
, 7. The most appropriate monitoring parameter for patients on
spironolactone is:
a) Serum sodium
b) Serum potassium
c) Serum calcium
d) Urine output
Rationale: Potassium-sparing diuretics can cause hyperkalemia,
requiring regular potassium monitoring.
8. Which diuretic is preferred in patients with edema due to chronic
kidney disease?
a) Hydrochlorothiazide
b) Furosemide
c) Spironolactone
d) Acetazolamide
Rationale: Loop diuretics like furosemide remain effective in patients
with reduced renal function, whereas thiazides are less effective.
9. A patient on hydrochlorothiazide develops muscle weakness and
irregular heartbeat. The likely cause is:
a) Hypernatremia
b) Hypokalemia
c) Hypermagnesemia
d) Hyponatremia
Rationale: Thiazides can cause potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia,
which may manifest as muscle weakness or cardiac arrhythmias.
10. Acetazolamide is used in which condition?
a) Heart failure
b) Hypertension
, c) Glaucoma
d) Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that
decreases aqueous humor formation, reducing intraocular pressure in
glaucoma.
11. Which electrolyte disturbance is associated with loop
diuretics?
a) Hyperkalemia
b) Hypercalcemia
c) Hypokalemia
d) Hypermagnesemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics increase renal excretion of potassium,
calcium, and magnesium, making hypokalemia a common side effect.
12. The primary use of potassium chloride in patients receiving
diuretics is:
a) Treat hyponatremia
b) Prevent hypokalemia
c) Treat hypercalcemia
d) Prevent hypernatremia
Rationale: Potassium supplementation is often required with loop and
thiazide diuretics to prevent hypokalemia.
13. The main difference between thiazide and loop diuretics is:
a) Thiazides act on the loop of Henle
b) Loop diuretics act on the distal tubule
c) Loop diuretics are more potent diuretics
d) Thiazides are potassium-sparing
Rationale: Loop diuretics are more potent and produce greater diuresis
than thiazides.
Test Bank – Verified 150 Q&A Set
2025/2026
1. Which diuretic works primarily in the distal convoluted tubule?
a) Furosemide
b) Mannitol
c) Hydrochlorothiazide
d) Spironolactone
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, act on the
distal convoluted tubule to inhibit sodium and chloride reabsorption,
promoting water excretion.
2. The primary mechanism of action of loop diuretics is:
a) Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase
b) Inhibition of the Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ symporter in the ascending loop
of Henle
c) Antagonism of aldosterone
d) Osmotic diuresis
Rationale: Loop diuretics inhibit the Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ symporter in the thick
ascending limb of the loop of Henle, leading to significant sodium,
chloride, and water excretion.
3. Spironolactone is classified as a:
a) Loop diuretic
b) Thiazide diuretic
c) Osmotic diuretic
d) Potassium-sparing diuretic (aldosterone antagonist)
,Rationale: Spironolactone blocks aldosterone receptors in the distal
nephron, reducing sodium and water reabsorption while conserving
potassium.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with
thiazide diuretics?
a) Hyperkalemia
b) Hypokalemia
c) Hypermagnesemia
d) Hypernatremia
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics increase renal potassium excretion, which
can lead to hypokalemia.
5. Mannitol is contraindicated in patients with:
a) Heart failure
b) Active intracranial bleeding
c) Hyperkalemia
d) Hypertension
Rationale: Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that can increase
intravascular volume initially, worsening conditions like active
intracranial bleeding or pulmonary edema.
6. A patient on furosemide develops tinnitus. This adverse effect is
likely due to:
a) Hyperkalemia
b) Ototoxicity
c) Hyponatremia
d) Hypercalcemia
Rationale: High doses or rapid IV administration of loop diuretics can
cause ototoxicity, presenting as tinnitus or hearing loss.
, 7. The most appropriate monitoring parameter for patients on
spironolactone is:
a) Serum sodium
b) Serum potassium
c) Serum calcium
d) Urine output
Rationale: Potassium-sparing diuretics can cause hyperkalemia,
requiring regular potassium monitoring.
8. Which diuretic is preferred in patients with edema due to chronic
kidney disease?
a) Hydrochlorothiazide
b) Furosemide
c) Spironolactone
d) Acetazolamide
Rationale: Loop diuretics like furosemide remain effective in patients
with reduced renal function, whereas thiazides are less effective.
9. A patient on hydrochlorothiazide develops muscle weakness and
irregular heartbeat. The likely cause is:
a) Hypernatremia
b) Hypokalemia
c) Hypermagnesemia
d) Hyponatremia
Rationale: Thiazides can cause potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia,
which may manifest as muscle weakness or cardiac arrhythmias.
10. Acetazolamide is used in which condition?
a) Heart failure
b) Hypertension
, c) Glaucoma
d) Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that
decreases aqueous humor formation, reducing intraocular pressure in
glaucoma.
11. Which electrolyte disturbance is associated with loop
diuretics?
a) Hyperkalemia
b) Hypercalcemia
c) Hypokalemia
d) Hypermagnesemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics increase renal excretion of potassium,
calcium, and magnesium, making hypokalemia a common side effect.
12. The primary use of potassium chloride in patients receiving
diuretics is:
a) Treat hyponatremia
b) Prevent hypokalemia
c) Treat hypercalcemia
d) Prevent hypernatremia
Rationale: Potassium supplementation is often required with loop and
thiazide diuretics to prevent hypokalemia.
13. The main difference between thiazide and loop diuretics is:
a) Thiazides act on the loop of Henle
b) Loop diuretics act on the distal tubule
c) Loop diuretics are more potent diuretics
d) Thiazides are potassium-sparing
Rationale: Loop diuretics are more potent and produce greater diuresis
than thiazides.
