A client with a history of heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which assessment finding indicates the medication is effective?
Increased urine output
Elevated blood pressure
Increased heart rate
Weight gain
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, promotes urine output by inhibiting sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, reducing fluid overload in heart failure. Increased urine output indicates effective diuresis, alleviating pulmonary and peripheral edema, making it the primary sign of therapeutic efficacy.
Choice B reason: Elevated blood pressure is not an expected effect of furosemide, which reduces preload and blood volume, often lowering pressure. Effective diuresis is shown by increased urine output, as this directly reflects fluid removal, critical for heart failure management.
Choice C reason: Increased heart rate is not a direct indicator of furosemide efficacy. Diuresis reduces cardiac workload, potentially stabilizing heart rate, but urine output is the primary measure, as it confirms fluid excretion, the medication’s main action in heart failure.
Choice D reason: Weight gain indicates fluid retention, the opposite of furosemide’s goal. Effective diuresis causes weight loss due to fluid excretion. Increased urine output is the key sign, as it directly measures the diuretic’s action in reducing heart failure-related fluid overload.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Ascites, fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity, is a common complication of liver cirrhosis due to portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia. It increases infection risk and discomfort, making it the priority to monitor, as early detection guides diuretic therapy and paracentesis.
Choice B reason: Peripheral neuropathy is not a primary cirrhosis complication, though it may occur in alcoholic liver disease. Ascites is more common, resulting from portal hypertension, making it the priority to monitor, as it directly reflects liver dysfunction and requires urgent management.
Choice C reason: Pulmonary edema is associated with heart failure, not cirrhosis. Ascites is a hallmark of cirrhosis, caused by portal hypertension and low albumin, making it the priority complication to monitor, as it indicates worsening liver function and requires immediate intervention.
Choice D reason: Kidney stones are unrelated to cirrhosis, which primarily causes ascites due to portal hypertension. Monitoring ascites is critical, as it reflects liver decompensation, increasing risks like spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, making it the priority over unrelated renal conditions.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Chronic constipation and serum gastrin levels are not directly relevant to acute pancreatitis. Constipation may indicate gastrointestinal issues, but gastrin primarily relates to gastric acid secretion. These do not confirm pancreatitis or guide acute management, unlike amylase levels, which are diagnostic for pancreatic inflammation.
Choice B reason: Helicobacter pylori antibodies indicate gastric infection, unrelated to pancreatitis, which involves pancreatic inflammation. Urine output is a general vital sign but not specific to pancreatitis diagnosis. Amylase and symptom severity are more critical for confirming and managing acute pancreatitis, making this less valuable.
Choice C reason: Bowel sounds and abdominal pain degree provide general information but are nonspecific. Pain is expected in pancreatitis, and bowel sounds may vary. Serum amylase and nausea/vomiting severity are more diagnostic, directly reflecting pancreatic inflammation and its systemic effects, making them more critical to report.
Choice D reason: Serum amylase levels are a key diagnostic marker for acute pancreatitis, as pancreatic inflammation releases amylase into the blood. Severity of nausea and vomiting reflects disease impact and fluid loss, guiding treatment. These are the most valuable data for reporting, as they confirm diagnosis and inform management.
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