Which statement by the nurse explains ascites?

Choice A reason: Glipizide, a sulfonylurea, stimulates insulin release from pancreatic beta cells by blocking ATP-sensitive potassium channels, increasing insulin secretion. This can cause hypoglycemia, especially if meals are skipped or with excessive dosing. Monitoring blood glucose is critical, as hypoglycemia can lead to symptoms like sweating, shakiness, or confusion, making this the primary adverse effect.

Choice B reason: Glipizide does not significantly affect potassium levels. Hyperkalemia is more associated with drugs like ACE inhibitors or potassium-sparing diuretics. Sulfonylureas primarily impact glucose metabolism, not electrolyte balance, making this an inaccurate adverse effect to monitor in patients taking glipizide.

Choice C reason: Glipizide often causes weight gain, not weight loss, due to increased insulin levels promoting glucose uptake and fat storage. Weight loss is more associated with drugs like metformin or SGLT-2 inhibitors. This statement is inaccurate, as weight gain is a more likely concern with sulfonylureas.

Choice D reason: Hypertension is not a common adverse effect of glipizide. Sulfonylureas primarily affect glucose metabolism, not blood pressure. While diabetes increases cardiovascular risk, glipizide does not directly cause hypertension, making this an inaccurate adverse effect to prioritize in monitoring for this medication.

Choice A reason: Osteoporosis causes bone density loss, leading to fractures, not primary joint pain. Pain occurs secondary to fractures, not joint inflammation or degeneration. This condition is the least likely to cause joint pain directly, as its pathology focuses on bone fragility rather than synovial or cartilage issues.

Choice B reason: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) causes joint pain due to autoimmune-mediated synovitis, affecting multiple joints symmetrically. Inflammatory cytokines drive pain and swelling, making SLE a common cause of joint pain, unlike osteoporosis, which primarily affects bone structure without direct joint involvement.

Choice C reason: Osteoarthritis causes joint pain due to cartilage degeneration and bone-on-bone friction, particularly in weight-bearing joints like knees. Mechanical stress and inflammation contribute to chronic pain, making osteoarthritis a frequent cause of joint pain, unlike osteoporosis, which lacks primary joint pathology.

Choice D reason: Rheumatoid arthritis causes significant joint pain through autoimmune synovial inflammation, leading to swelling, stiffness, and cartilage damage. This systemic condition affects multiple joints, making it a primary cause of joint pain, unlike osteoporosis, which is associated with bone loss, not joint inflammation.