I work in community and do med management for my clients.
medical history: renal failure, chf, long standing alcohol use (although currently sober), on prednisone for years
Situation: recently had blood work completed which showed decreased gfr(25) and increased urea and creatinine. Furthermore, her potassium was elevated at 5.5. Understanding this, she was prescribed two diuretics - 40 of furosemide and 25 of spironalactone. I know that her potassium was elevated, but not critically so I emailed physician wondering about stopping spironalactone and increasing furosemide with follow up bloodwork.
Because I work rurally, this doctor was not available until the following day and agreed with my suggestion.
In the meantime, I had to decide whether or not to hold spironalactone. In hindsight, I think I should have. But I made the decision to not hold it based on her GFR and CHF (and the fact is we being given with furosemide).
I've been doing a lot of research since then and have discovered that spironalactone really isn't a great med for those with chronic renal failure.
Regardless, I'm curious...what would you have done? Held spironalactone and gone ahead with only furosemide, given both, or something completely different?
Communitynurse365
16 Posts
Hi there, question for all you lovelies!
I work in community and do med management for my clients.
medical history: renal failure, chf, long standing alcohol use (although currently sober), on prednisone for years
Situation: recently had blood work completed which showed decreased gfr(25) and increased urea and creatinine. Furthermore, her potassium was elevated at 5.5. Understanding this, she was prescribed two diuretics - 40 of furosemide and 25 of spironalactone. I know that her potassium was elevated, but not critically so I emailed physician wondering about stopping spironalactone and increasing furosemide with follow up bloodwork.
Because I work rurally, this doctor was not available until the following day and agreed with my suggestion.
In the meantime, I had to decide whether or not to hold spironalactone. In hindsight, I think I should have. But I made the decision to not hold it based on her GFR and CHF (and the fact is we being given with furosemide).
I've been doing a lot of research since then and have discovered that spironalactone really isn't a great med for those with chronic renal failure.
Regardless, I'm curious...what would you have done? Held spironalactone and gone ahead with only furosemide, given both, or something completely different?