What laboratory value should a nurse monitor for a client receiving furosemide for heart failure?

Furosemide, a loop diuretic commonly used to manage heart failure, can lead to significant changes in electrolyte levels due to its mechanism of action, which promotes the excretion of water, sodium, potassium, and chloride through the kidneys. Among these, monitoring potassium levels is particularly crucial because furosemide can induce hypokalemia, a condition characterized by low potassium levels in the blood. Potassium is essential for numerous bodily functions, including muscle contractions, nerve function, and maintaining normal heart rhythm.

Hypokalemia can lead to serious complications, such as cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, regularly checking potassium levels ensures that appropriate interventions can be implemented if levels drop too low, thereby helping to prevent potential health issues associated with electrolyte imbalances.

While monitoring other electrolytes like sodium and chloride is also important, potassium is especially critical given the specific risks associated with furosemide therapy. Patients may experience various symptoms of low potassium, such as fatigue, muscle weakness, and palpitations, which further underscores the importance of routine monitoring of this electrolyte in clients receiving furosemide.