The nurse is caring for a client who has shortness of breath, +2 pitting edema bilaterally of the lower extremities, crackles in the bases of the lungs, and a weight gain of 7 pounds in 1 week. The nurse administers furosemide 40 mg IV as ordered. Which would the nurse anticipate to indicate that the furosemide was effective?
Rationale: Furosemide increases urine output, which removes excess fluid from the body. Pitting edema of +1 indicates an improvement due to the fluid loss. Urine output of 250 mL/hr is an expected finding in this client. Crackles in the lungs should be decreased or absent. Pitting edema of +3 indicates an increase in edema. Shortness of breath should be resolved, not merely decreased.
