Pharmacology

Question 1

Thiazide Diuretics

• Example
• Purpose
• Nursing Actions
• Teaching

Answer 1

• Thiazide Diuretics
• Example- Hydrochlorothiazide
• Purpose- First Choice for Essential Hypertension
• Nursing Actions-
  
  • Obtain Baseline V/S
  • Monitor Potassium levels
  • Obtain Baseline weight and extent of edema
• Teaching-
  
  • Take First dose in the AM and second no later than 2pm
  • Consume foods high in potassium(K)
  • Ensure adequate fluid intake of 1500ml
  • If GI upset take with or after meals

Question 2

Loop Diuretics

• Example
• Purpose
• Nursing Actions
• Teaching

Answer 2

Loop Diuretics

• Example- Furosimide (lasix)
• Purpose- When there is an emergent need to mobilize fluid
• Nursing Actions
  
  • Monitor baseline data to include orthostatic BP, weight and Edema
  • monitor B/p I/o
  • admister in the morning adminster iv slowly
  • montior potassium levels
• Teaching- rise slowly if dizzy lay down, montior weight loss, dizzyness, gi upset, eat foods high in potassium such as avacodos and strawberries

Question 3

Potassium –Sparing

• Example
• Purpose
• Nursing Actions
• Teaching

Answer 3

Potassium –Sparing

• Example: spironolactone (Aldactone)
• Purpose: Potassium-sparing diuretics
• Nursing actions-
  
  • Monitor potassium level.
  • Initiate cardiac monitoring for serum potassium greater than 5 mEq/l.
  • Do not give this medication and a potassium supplement concurrently.
• Teach/Reinforce Teaching
  
  • Teach to avoid salt substitutes that contain potassium.