Which lab results should be monitored for a patient on furosemide?
Creatinine
Platelets
Chloride
RBC
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, increases renal workload, risking kidney injury. Creatinine rises (>1.2 mg/dL) with reduced glomerular filtration, a critical marker to monitor for nephrotoxicity or dehydration in heart failure patients.
Choice B reason: Platelets (150,000-450,000/µL) assess clotting, unaffected by furosemide directly. Diuretics alter volume, not hematopoiesis, so monitoring platelets is irrelevant unless bleeding or unrelated conditions complicate the patient’s status.
Choice C reason: Chloride may drop with furosemide, but it’s less critical than creatinine. Hypochloremia affects acid-base balance, yet renal function takes priority, as kidney damage has broader, immediate implications in therapy.
Choice D reason: RBC count reflects anemia, not furosemide’s primary effects. Diuretics cause hemoconcentration if overused, but creatinine better captures renal impact, making red cell monitoring secondary in this context.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, blocks angiotensin II formation, relaxing arteries and reducing blood pressure. It directly treats hypertension by decreasing vascular resistance and preload, a first-line therapy supported by its systemic vasodilatory effects.
Choice B reason: Metformin manages type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake. It doesn’t affect blood pressure directly, targeting metabolic pathways instead, so it’s not a hypertension treatment despite cardiovascular risk benefits.
Choice C reason: Hydralazine dilates arterioles by relaxing smooth muscle, directly lowering blood pressure. Used in hypertension, especially in crises, it reduces afterload, making it a potent antihypertensive agent when rapid control is needed.
Choice D reason: Aspirin prevents platelet aggregation, reducing thrombotic risk in cardiovascular disease. It doesn’t lower blood pressure directly, acting as an antiplatelet rather than an antihypertensive, so it’s not a primary treatment for hypertension.
Choice E reason: Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, relaxes vascular smooth muscle, decreasing peripheral resistance. It directly treats hypertension by dilating arteries, improving blood flow, and reducing cardiac workload, a common and effective long-term therapy.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Tripod position aids breathing in COPD by stabilizing accessory muscles, a common adaptation. It signals distress but isn’t immediately life-threatening compared to respiratory rate, as it reflects chronic compensation rather than acute decompensation requiring urgent intervention.
Choice B reason: O2 saturation of 90% is low but typical in COPD due to ventilation-perfusion mismatch. It warrants monitoring, yet it’s less critical than respiratory rate, as supplemental oxygen can correct it, and it’s not an immediate danger sign.
Choice C reason: Bibasilar crackles suggest fluid or infection, uncommon in pure COPD exacerbations, which show wheezing. This finding needs attention but is less urgent than respiratory rate, as it may indicate pneumonia rather than immediate respiratory failure.
Choice D reason: Respiratory rate of 9 breaths/min is alarmingly low in COPD, where tachypnea (20-30 breaths/min) is expected during exacerbation. Bradypnea indicates potential respiratory depression or fatigue, risking CO2 retention and hypoxia, necessitating immediate reporting for intervention.
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