A nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about palliative care. Which of the following information should the nurse include?

A) Reduced respiratory rate:
Acute pain typically triggers an increased respiratory rate rather than a reduced one. Pain activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased respiratory effort as the body prepares to fight or flee.

B) Elevated blood pressure:
Elevated blood pressure is a common physiological response to acute pain. Pain activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to the release of stress hormones like adrenaline, which constrict blood vessels and increase heart rate and blood pressure.

C) Constricted pupils:
Pain often causes pupil dilation rather than constriction. The body's fight-or-flight response to pain involves pupil dilation to enhance visual acuity and peripheral vision, allowing individuals to detect potential threats in their environment.

D) Decreased heart rate:
Acute pain typically results in an increased heart rate rather than a decreased one. Pain triggers the release of adrenaline, which increases heart rate as part of the body's stress response to prepare for action.

A) Hydrochlorothiazide: Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that promotes sodium and water excretion, leading to decreased blood volume and decreased potassium excretion. While it can cause hypokalemia due to increased potassium excretion, it does not typically lead to hyperkalemia.

B) Spironolactone: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that inhibits aldosterone, leading to decreased sodium reabsorption and increased potassium retention. This mechanism of action can predispose clients to hyperkalemia due to potassium retention. Additionally, spironolactone can cause hyponatremia by promoting the excretion of sodium and water. Therefore, clients receiving spironolactone are at risk for both hyperkalemia and hyponatremia.

C) Furosemide: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in the loop of Henle, promoting sodium, chloride, potassium, and water excretion. While it can cause hypokalemia due to increased potassium excretion, it does not typically lead to hyperkalemia.

D) Metolazone: Metolazone is a thiazide-like diuretic that acts similarly to hydrochlorothiazide by promoting sodium and water excretion. Like hydrochlorothiazide, it can cause hypokalemia due to increased potassium excretion but does not typically lead to hyperkalemia.