Assessment and Diagnosis of Chronic Illnesses
Assessment and Diagnosis of Chronic Illnesses ( 4 Questions)
A client with hypertension is prescribed a thiazide diuretic. The nurse instructs the client to monitor their potassium level and report any signs of hypokalemia. Which of the following signs should the nurse include in the teaching?
Muscle cramps are a sign of hypokalemia, or low potassium level, which can occur as a side effect of thiazide diuretics. Potassium is an electrolyte that is essential for muscle contraction and nerve conduction. Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness, spasms, and cramps, as well as cardiac arrhythmias and dysrhythmias.
This is not a sign of hypokalemia, but rather a sign of hypercalcemia, or high calcium level, which can also occur as a side effect of thiazide diuretics. Calcium is an electrolyte that is involved in muscle contraction and blood clotting. Hypercalcemia can cause constipation, abdominal pain, kidney stones, and bone pain.
This is not a sign of hypokalemia, but rather a sign of dehydration, which can occur as a result of fluid loss from diuretic therapy. Dehydration can cause dry mouth, thirst, decreased urine output, and increased heart rate and blood pressure.
This is not a sign of hypokalemia, but rather a sign of hyponatremia, or low sodium level, which can also occur as a side effect of thiazide diuretics. Sodium is an electrolyte that is important for fluid balance and nerve function. Hyponatremia can cause nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, and seizures.
Muscle cramps are a sign of hypokalemia, or low potassium level, which can occur as a side effect of thiazide diuretics. Potassium is an electrolyte that is essential for muscle contraction and nerve conduction. Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness, spasms, and cramps, as well as cardiac arrhythmias and dysrhythmias.
Incorrect options:
B) Constipation - This is not a sign of hypokalemia, but rather a sign of hypercalcemia, or high calcium level, which can also occur as a side effect of thiazide diuretics. Calcium is an electrolyte that is involved in muscle contraction and blood clotting. Hypercalcemia can cause constipation, abdominal pain, kidney stones, and bone pain.
C) Dry mouth - This is not a sign of hypokalemia, but rather a sign of dehydration, which can occur as a result of fluid loss from diuretic therapy. Dehydration can cause dry mouth, thirst, decreased urine output, and increased heart rate and blood pressure.
D) Nausea - This is not a sign of hypokalemia, but rather a sign of hyponatremia, or low sodium level, which can also occur as a side effect of thiazide diuretics. Sodium is an electrolyte that is important for fluid balance and nerve function. Hyponatremia can cause nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, and seizures.