Which potential issue should a nurse be concerned about when administering hydrochlorothiazide?

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic commonly used to treat conditions such as hypertension and edema. When administering this medication, one of the significant concerns is the potential for hypokalemia, which is a condition characterized by low levels of potassium in the blood. Thiazide diuretics promote the excretion of potassium along with sodium, which can lead to a deficiency in potassium levels. This can cause several issues, such as muscle weakness, fatigue, and cardiac arrhythmias.

Additionally, hydrochlorothiazide can also lead to hyperglycemia, where there are elevated levels of glucose in the blood. This effect is particularly important to monitor in diabetic patients or those at risk for diabetes, as it can exacerbate blood sugar control issues.

In contrast, other options may suggest concerns that are not typically associated with hydrochlorothiazide. For instance, hyperkalemia, which indicates high potassium levels, is more related to potassium-sparing diuretics rather than thiazide diuretics. Therefore, patients with conditions like diabetes might need to be particularly vigilant while on hydrochlorothiazide for these reasons, making hypokalemia and hyperglycemia key considerations during its administration.