The nurse is providing care for a client with a bowel obstruction who had a transverse colostomy created. Which observation requires immediate notification of the primary health care provider?

Choice A reason: Shortness of breath is a heart failure symptom, not a furosemide side effect, which causes diuresis. Lightheadedness from hypotension is common, making this incorrect, as it confuses disease symptoms with medication effects in the nurse’s monitoring plan for furosemide.

Choice B reason: Lightheadedness is a common furosemide adverse effect due to hypotension or electrolyte imbalances from diuresis. This aligns with pharmacological monitoring for heart failure treatment, making it the correct effect the nurse should plan to monitor in the client.

Choice C reason: Dry cough is associated with ACE inhibitors, not furosemide, a diuretic causing hypotension. Lightheadedness is a furosemide effect, making this incorrect, as it misattributes a side effect to the wrong medication in the nurse’s monitoring for heart failure treatment.

Choice D reason: Bitter taste is not a typical furosemide side effect; it’s more linked to medications like antibiotics. Lightheadedness is relevant, making this incorrect, as it does not reflect the expected adverse effects the nurse should monitor with furosemide administration.

Choice A reason: Seizure precautions are relevant but secondary to establishing IV access for antihypertensive administration in hypertensive crisis. Starting an IV enables immediate treatment, making this incorrect, as it delays the critical intervention needed to lower the client’s dangerously high blood pressure.

Choice B reason: Instructing to report vision changes monitors complications but doesn’t address the urgent need to lower blood pressure. IV access facilitates medication delivery, making this incorrect, as it postpones the primary action for managing the client’s hypertensive crisis effectively.

Choice C reason: Hypertensive crisis can cause severe headache, risk for stroke, pulmonary edema, and difficulty breathing. Elevating the HOB improves cerebral perfusion, reduces intracranial pressure, and eases breathing. This is an immediate, noninvasive, airway/circulation-supportive intervention.

Choice D reason: Needed for IV antihypertensive administration, but initial safety and circulation support (C) takes priority before establishing access.