Question

S.W. is seeing her nurse practitioner today for a follow-up appointment. Two weeks ago, S.W. was seen for complaints of occasional headaches. On that visit, S.W.’s blood pressure was 160/110 mm Hg. S.W. has been monitoring her blood pressure for the past 2 weeks, and it has remained at 150/100 mm Hg or higher. S.W. is not overweight, does not smoke, and walks for exercise at least three times per week. The nurse practitioner decides to start S.W. on therapy with spironolactone (Aldactone) daily to control S.W.’s hypertension.

1. What is the role of spironolactone in the treatment of hypertension?
2. The patient asks the nurse what diet changes, if any, she will need to make. How will the nurse respond?
3. As the patient is leaving the office, the nurse overhears her talking on the phone. She says, “I’m having terrible cramps. I can’t wait to get home and take some Tylenol.” Is any further patient teaching necessary?
4. The patient calls into the clinic the following week and tells the nurse she is having lots of diarrhea, and her legs are so weak that she is having trouble putting one foot in front of the other. She’s been so irritable that her husband insisted she call in. What would the nurse suspect what occurring?

Answer 1

Answer: Spironolactone is used in treatment of hypertension. It is known as potassium sparing diuretics class of drug. It works by acting on competing with aldosterone for kidney receptor site, which increases sodium and water removal while conserving potassium.

Diet changes can affect the hypertension as healthy diet may reduces the risk of hypertension. Intake of low sodium as well as caffeinated beverages can also helps to manage hypertension.

Tylenol is a pain killer, it has side effects such as nausea, vomiting, weakness etc. and sometimes it also causes diarrhoea as due to electrolyte imbalance in the body.