Potassium Sparing Diuretics

Question 1

NURSE mnemonic for pharmacology

Answer 1

Name
Used for
Responsibilities of Nurse 
Side Effects 
Education of Patient

Question 2

Potassium sparing diuretics work by inhibiting the sodium & potassium exchange via sodium channels in distal parts of the nephron. True or false.

Answer 2

TRUE. The result is that more sodium stays within the filtrate, and hence more water, and we get the diuretic effect. It causes more potassium to stay within the blood.

Question 3

One side effect of potassium sparing diuretics is __________kalemia

Answer 3

hyperkalemia

Question 4

What are the two classes of Potassium sparing Diuretics ?

Answer 4

Epithelial Sodium channel inhibitors

Aldosterone antagonists

Question 5

Triamterene & Amiloride are both what class of potassium sparing diuretic?

Answer 5

Epithelial Sodium channel inhibitors

Question 6

Spironolactone & Eplerenone are both what class of potassium sparing diuretic ?

Answer 6

Aldosterone Antagonists

Question 7

What are potassium sparing diuretics used for?

Answer 7

hypertension, edema, swelling

Hypokalemia

Hyperaldosteronism

Question 8

Potassium sparing diuretics tend to be the ____________ diuretics and are commonly combined with loops/thiazides.

Answer 8

weakest

Question 9

Diuretic medications increase ___________ because they are altering how we are reabsorbing __________ which affects how we are going to deal with water.

Answer 9

urination; sodium

Question 10

Dehydration and potassium sparing diuretics -how can we tell if our patient is dehydrated ?

Answer 10

Look at vital signs - is systolic BP is <90 or HR > 100

Are they extremely thirsty or are there mental status changes

Question 11

potassium sparing diuretics are not for patients who have__________failure

Answer 11

renal

Question 12

with potassium sparing diuretics, watch out for ____________ imbalances

Answer 12

electrolyte

Question 13

with potassium sparing diuretics, teach patient to avoid foods that are high in __________ and avoid ______ substitutes (these are high in potassium)

Answer 13

potassium; salt

Question 14

these other medication classes can all increase potassium levels

Answer 14

ACE inhibitors
ARBs
NSAIDS

Question 15

side effects of potassium sparing diuretics

Answer 15

upset stomach - take with food or right after meal

Antiandrogen effect - gynecomastia, menstrual problems, sexual dysfunction