A 33-year-old male client with heart failure has been taking furosemide for the past week. Which of the following assessment cues below may indicate the client is experiencing a negative side effect from the medication?
A. Weight gain of 5 pounds
B. Edema of the ankles
C. Gastric irritability
D. Decreased appetite
Correct Answer: D. Decreased appetite
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that is used for pulmonary edema, edema in heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, and hypertension. Furosemide causes a loss of potassium unless a supplement or a potassium-rich diet is taken. A decrease in appetite is caused by hypokalemia. Signs and symptoms of hypokalemia include anorexia, fatigue, nausea, decreased GI motility, muscle weakness, dysrhythmias, reduced urine osmolality, altered level of consciousness.
Option A: Weight gain is not a negative side effect of furosemide.
Option B: Edema of the ankles are indications for the administration of furosemide.
Option C: Gastric irritability is not a side effect of furosemide.