Question

A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has heart failure and a new prescription for a potassium-sparing diuretic. which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

a. Limit potassium-rich foods in the diet.

b. Take the medication on an empty stomach.

c. Avoid using salt substitutes.

d. Increase dietary sodium intake.

Answer 1

The correct answer is to avoid using salt substitutes when taking a potassium-sparing diuretic, as they can increase serum potassium levels, which could be dangerous. There is no need to limit potassium-rich foods, taking the medication with food can prevent stomach upset, and increasing dietary sodium can worsen heart failure symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has heart failure and a new prescription for a potassium-sparing diuretic. When providing education on how to manage their medication, the nurse should include which of the following information:

• Avoid using salt substitutes. Salt substitutes often contain potassium chloride and can increase serum potassium levels, which is a risk when taking a potassium-sparing diuretic.
• Instead of taking the medication on an empty stomach, it may be taken with food to decrease the chance of stomach upset.
• There is no need to limit potassium-rich foods unless instructed by the healthcare provider as potassium-sparing diuretics conserve potassium.
• Do not increase dietary sodium intake, as a high sodium diet can worsen heart failure symptoms by causing fluid retention.

Clients with heart failure are typically advised to follow a low-sodium diet to prevent fluid overload, and the use of potassium-sparing diuretics such as spironolactone, eplerenone, or amiloride, helps to maintain potassium balance since they prevent excretion of potassium in the urine.