A patient receiving furosemide for heart failure has muscle cramps and an irregular pulse. Which laboratory result would best support the suspected adverse effect?
Correct answer: A. Serum potassium of 2.9 mmol/L
- A. Serum potassium of 2.9 mmol/L
- B. Serum sodium of 140 mmol/L
- C. Serum calcium of 2.3 mmol/L
- D. Serum chloride of 102 mmol/L
Explanation
Furosemide increases urinary potassium loss, and hypokalaemia can cause muscle cramps and cardiac dysrhythmias. A potassium level of 2.9 mmol/L is low and requires prompt reporting; the other values are within common adult reference ranges.
Report an error
The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.
Prefer email? support@testustad.com
About Cardiovascular Nursing
Covers assessment and nursing care for hypertension, coronary artery disease, angina, myocardial infarction, heart failure, valvular disease and dysrhythmias. It includes interpreting vital signs and ECG findings, managing chest pain, monitoring cardiac medicines, recognizing complications and distinguishing left-sided from right-sided heart failure.
Practise Cardiovascular Nursing
50 free Cardiovascular Nursing MCQs from Medical Surgical Nursing, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Discussion
Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.
No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.
Exams that ask Medical Surgical Nursing questions like this
Medical Surgical Nursing is on 8 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
More Cardiovascular Nursing questions
A patient three days after an acute myocardial infarction suddenly becomes hypotensive, confused and cool, with a weak rapid pulse. Which finding should the nurse report as the priority?
A patient taking amiodarone for a dysrhythmia reports a new dry cough and increasing breathlessness. Which action should the nurse take?
A patient with aortic stenosis reports fainting while walking and pressure-like chest discomfort. Which complication should the nurse recognise as a major concern?
A patient with a first-degree atrioventricular block has an ECG showing a constant PR interval of 0.24 seconds. Which interpretation is correct?
A patient with coronary artery disease asks how to reduce the workload of the heart during daily activities. Which instruction is most appropriate?
A patient with stable angina reports chest discomfort that continues 5 minutes after taking one prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin tablet. Which action should the nurse take?