Author Question: The nurse is caring for a patient who has metabolic alkalosis and is experiencing fluid overload. ... (Read 68 times)

lindiwe · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is caring for a patient who has metabolic alkalosis and is experiencing fluid overload. The provider orders acetazolamide (Diamox). The patient reports right-sided flank pain after taking this medication.

The nurse suspects that this patient has developed which condition?
a. Gout
b. Hemolytic anemia
c. Metabolic acidosis
d. Renal calculi

Question 2

A patient has begun taking spironolactone (Aldactone) in addition to a thiazide diuretic. With the addition of the spironolactone, the nurse will counsel this patient to

a. continue taking a potassium supplement daily.
b. recognize that abdominal cramping is a transient side effect.
c. report decreased urine output to the provider.
d. take these medications at bedtime.

janieazgirl · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, such as acetazolamide, are used to treat patients who are in metabolic alkalosis and need a diuretic. They can cause electrolyte imbalance, metabolic acidosis, hemolytic anemia, and renal calculi. This patient has right-sided flank pain, which occurs with renal calculi.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Caution must be used when giving potassium-sparing diuretics to patients with poor renal function, so patients should be taught to report a decrease in urine output. Patients taking potassium-sparing diuretics are at risk for hyperkalemia, so they should not take potassium supplements. Abdominal cramping should be reported to the provider. The medications should be taken in the morning for patients who sleep during the night.