A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a new prescription for furosemide.Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse review before administering furosemide?
Bicarbonate.
Potassium.
Phosphate.
Carbon dioxide.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice B rationale
Potassium levels should be reviewed before administering furosemide. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium loss through increased urine output. Monitoring potassium is crucial to prevent hypokalemia, which can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and other serious complications.
Choice A rationale
Bicarbonate levels are not directly impacted by furosemide use and are less critical to review in this context. While they are important in assessing acid-base balance, they are not the primary concern when administering furosemide.
Choice C rationale
Phosphate levels are not typically affected by furosemide and are not the main focus before administration. Monitoring phosphate might be important in other scenarios, but it is not directly relevant here.
Choice D rationale
Carbon dioxide levels are more relevant to respiratory function and acid-base balance but are not directly impacted by furosemide. The focus should be on monitoring electrolytes, particularly potassium, to prevent complications from diuretic therapy.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Hypertension is not a typical finding associated with community-acquired pneumonia. The condition more commonly presents with respiratory symptoms such as cough, fever, and difficulty breathing.
Choice B rationale
Unequal pupils are not a common finding in community-acquired pneumonia and could indicate a neurological issue or head injury, which would require further investigation.
Choice C rationale
Confusion, particularly in older adults, can be a symptom of community-acquired pneumonia. It is often due to hypoxia or systemic inflammation and is a sign of a more severe infection.
Choice D rationale
Tympany upon chest percussion is not expected in pneumonia. Pneumonia typically presents with dullness on percussion due to the consolidation of lung tissue, not the hyperresonance that causes tympany.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Radiating pain to the left arm is a classic symptom of a myocardial infarction (MI) due to referred pain from the heart.
Choice B rationale
Shortness of breath can also be associated with MI but is not as specific as radiating pain to the left arm.
Choice C rationale
Headache is not a typical symptom of an MI. It is more commonly associated with other conditions.
Choice D rationale
Nausea and vomiting can occur with an MI but are not as specific as radiating pain to the left arm.
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