A 2-year-old child is admitted due to cardiac defect complications including fluid overload. The physician prescribes furosemide, 10 mg I.V., to be given every 2 hours, times 4 doses. The nurse would recognize which of the following laboratory results as a side effect of furosemide?

Explanation

•Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause severe fluid loss and electrolyte depletion. Hypokalemia is a common side effect of this medication.

•Althought the patient's lab results show hypermagnesia and anemia, these are not generally associated with furosemide.

Potassium: 3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L
Magnesium: 1.3 - 2.1 mEq/L
Hemoglobin: 14 - 18 g/dl (Males), 12 - 16 g/dl (Females)
Sodium: 135 - 145 mEq/L

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