A patient who has type 2 diabetes will begin taking glipizide (Glucotrol). Which statement by the patient is concerning to the nurse?

Choice A reason: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, promotes potassium excretion, risking hypokalemia. The patient’s potassium level (3.1 mEq/L) is below normal (3.5-5.0 mEq/L), indicating hypokalemia, which can cause arrhythmias. Administering Lasix without addressing this could worsen the electrolyte imbalance, making this choice unsafe and incorrect.

Choice B reason: Oxygen administration addresses respiratory issues, not electrolyte imbalances like hypokalemia (3.1 mEq/L) caused by furosemide. There’s no indication of hypoxia in the lab results or scenario. This action doesn’t correct the potassium deficit or prevent further depletion, making it irrelevant and incorrect.

Choice C reason: Furosemide exacerbates hypokalemia (patient’s potassium: 3.1 mEq/L), risking cardiac arrhythmias or muscle weakness. Holding the dose prevents further potassium loss, and notifying the physician allows for correction (e.g., potassium supplements) and reassessment of therapy, making this the safest and most appropriate action.

Choice D reason: A 24-hour urine collection assesses renal function or output but doesn’t address the immediate concern of hypokalemia (3.1 mEq/L) caused by furosemide. This test is irrelevant to correcting the electrolyte imbalance or preventing further depletion, making it an inappropriate action in this scenario.

Choice A reason: Beta blockers decrease renin release, reducing angiotensin II and aldosterone, which lowers blood pressure. This statement is accurate, reflecting correct understanding, so it does not indicate a need for further teaching.

Choice B reason: Beta blockers do not primarily decrease peripheral vascular resistance; they reduce heart rate and contractility. Peripheral resistance is more affected by alpha blockers or vasodilators, so this incorrect statement indicates a need for further teaching.

Choice C reason: Beta blockers reduce heart rate and myocardial contractility, decreasing cardiac output and blood pressure. This statement is correct, showing proper understanding, so it does not require additional teaching.

Choice D reason: While beta blockers do not directly block angiotensin II, they reduce its production by decreasing renin. The statement is imprecise but not entirely wrong, making it less indicative of a teaching need than choice B.