Before administering intravenous furosemide, which action should the nurse perform to ensure safety?

Before administering intravenous furosemide, which action should the nurse perform to ensure safety?

• A. Obtain the client’s weight
• B. Administer intravenously rapidly
• C. Verify the client’s blood pressure after administering
• D. Assess the client’s serum electrolytes before administering

Answer: (D)

Assessing electrolyte status before giving IV furosemide is essential because loop diuretics cause rapid diuresis with significant losses of potassium and other electrolytes. Knowing baseline serum electrolytes helps identify and correct imbalances before they worsen, reducing the risk of dangerous arrhythmias, weakness, or severe hypotension. If electrolytes are already off, a clinician may delay the diuretic or plan appropriate replacements first. While monitoring weight or blood pressure after administration is important, it does not prevent the electrolyte disturbances this drug can trigger. Administering IV furosemide rapidly poses safety risks like ototoxicity and abrupt fluid shifts, but the key pre-administration safety action is checking electrolytes.

Assessing electrolyte status before giving IV furosemide is essential because loop diuretics cause rapid diuresis with significant losses of potassium and other electrolytes. Knowing baseline serum electrolytes helps identify and correct imbalances before they worsen, reducing the risk of dangerous arrhythmias, weakness, or severe hypotension. If electrolytes are already off, a clinician may delay the diuretic or plan appropriate replacements first. While monitoring weight or blood pressure after administration is important, it does not prevent the electrolyte disturbances this drug can trigger. Administering IV furosemide rapidly poses safety risks like ototoxicity and abrupt fluid shifts, but the key pre-administration safety action is checking electrolytes.