In: Nursing
when the nurse is checking the lab results for a patient taking spironolactone, which results would be potential concern?
The blood potassium level will be of potential concern while checking the lab result of patient with spironolactone.
Spironolactone is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. It is also used to treat swelling (edema) caused by certain conditions (such as heart failure, liver disease) by removing excess fluid and improving symptoms such as breathing problems.
spironolactone is a specific pharmacologic antagonist of aldosterone, acting primarily through competitive binding of receptors at the aldosterone-dependent sodium-potassium exchange site in the distal convoluted renal tubule. This medication may lead to high levels of potassium, especially in patients with kidney problems. If not treated, very high potassium levels can be fatal.
Potassium affects the way your heart's muscles work. When you have too much potassium, your heart may beat irregularly, which in the worst cases, can cause heart attack. Severe hyperkalemia can be fatal.Hyperkalemia