Question

Spironolactone (Aldactone) is prescribed for a patient with cirrhosis and ascites.
The nurse should monitor the patient for which medication related adverse effect?

a) tachycardia
b) hyperkalemia
c) constipation
d) jaundice

Answer 1

Answer:-
b) hyperkalemia
Ascites :
It is referred to accumulation of fluid in peritoneal cavity and caused by different peritoneal and extra peritoneal causes But commonly it results from liver cirrhosis. Ascites in a cirrhotic patient have less prognosis.
Spironolactone(aldactone) :-
Spironolactone(aldactone) is a aldosterone antagonist mainly acts on distal tubule. It is used to increase natriuresis and to conserve potassium .
•   Drug of choice in initial stage of cirrhotic ascites.
•   There may be some frequent side effects for this medication which includes decreased libido, gynacomastia in men, menstrual irregularities in womans and other symptoms related to antiandrogenic activity.

•   The most important and serious complication of spironolactone is hyperkalemia.

Hyperkalemia is the condition refers to high amount 9f potassium in blood more than normal.

•   The other options given are excluded because these may be results as complications of cirrhosis and ascites.