Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 78%
Simulated
A nurse is collecting data from a client who takes furosemide daily for heart failure. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse review before administering the medication?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct answer is C: Serum potassium. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium depletion, leading to hypokalemia. Monitoring serum potassium levels is crucial to prevent complications such as cardiac arrhythmias. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (A) is not relevant for assessing furosemide therapy. Thyroxine (B) is a thyroid hormone and not directly affected by furosemide. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (D) is a liver enzyme and not specifically impacted by furosemide administration.