Question

What nursing assessments are essential when caring for a child taking diuretics? Why are these nursing assessments important?

Answer 1

Nursing assessment that are essential the dwhile adminstering diuretics -

Diuretics are Adminstered to excrete the fluid and electrolyte from the body in hypertensive patients, edema patients ,as the water and electrolytes are excreted , electrolyte imbalance may occur so nurse should moniter the electrolyte especially the pottasium which changes faster due to diuretics

Monitor -

Fluid electrolyte balance,

blood glucose level ,

serum uric acid levels,

blood pressure ,

kidney function by urine output , creatinine, Blood urea nitrogen ,cyrstalluria

Fluid balance - intake , output , wieght

The above given nursing assessment are important because , fluid electrolyte imbalance may result in reduced renal function of neglected may lead to renal failure

Potassium levels should be closely monitored as many of the diuretics cause hypokalemia expect potassium sparing diuretics which results hyperkalemia

Blood glucose levels should be tested as diuretics may increase blood glucose levels by causing glucose intolerance

Blood uric acid levels are also raised due to diuretics , should be Monitered while adminstering the diuretics

Fluid balance is the essential , diuretics may cause dehydration so monitor fluid balance is compulsary

Kidney function should be Monitered as fluid electrolyte imbalance may cause inflammation and reduce renal function