Which drug increases urinary excretion of water and electrolyte and are used to relieve oedema?

Raj. CHO -2025

Pharmacology

Easy

Appeared in: Raj. CHO -2025

Explanation

Diuretics, also known as 'water pills,' are drugs that promote the formation and excretion of urine.
They function by increasing the urinary excretion of water, sodium, and other electrolytes.
This action reduces the total volume of extracellular fluid, making them the primary treatment for relieving edema (fluid retention) and managing hypertension.

Option B: Antidepressants are psychotropic drugs used to manage mood disorders like depression and anxiety. They do not have a primary diuretic effect to relieve edema.
Option C: Antipyretics are medications used to reduce fever. They act on the hypothalamus in the brain to lower the body's temperature set-point and do not affect urine production or fluid balance.
Option D: This is not a pharmacological agent but an option indicating the question was not answered. It is not a valid choice for a correct medical answer.

Visual 1: Diagram: 'The Nephron and Diuretic Sites of Action.' This visual would illustrate the different parts of the kidney's nephron and pinpoint where each class of diuretic (Loop, Thiazide, Potassium-sparing) exerts its effects, clarifying their mechanisms of action.
Visual 2: Flowchart: 'Pathophysiology of Edema and Diuretic Intervention.' This chart would show how conditions like heart failure lead to fluid retention and edema, and then demonstrate how diuretics interrupt this process by promoting fluid excretion.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Pharmacology of Diuretic Drugs helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses administering diuretics must meticulously monitor the patient's fluid intake and output, daily weight, and vital signs (especially blood pressure) to assess the drug's effectiveness and prevent dehydration.
Electrolyte monitoring is critical, particularly for potassium levels. Loop and thiazide diuretics can cause hypokalemia (low potassium), while potassium-sparing diuretics can cause hyperkalemia (high potassium).
What if? If a patient on furosemide (a loop diuretic) reports muscle weakness and cramping, the nurse should suspect hypokalemia. The priority action is to notify the healthcare provider, as severe hypokalemia can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.

How to Approach the Question

First, break down the question to identify the core pharmacological action required: a drug that 'increases urinary excretion of water and electrolyte' and is used to 'relieve oedema'.
Recognize that this is the definition of a specific class of medication.
Evaluate each option based on its known primary function.
The term 'Diuretic' directly matches the description of promoting diuresis (urine production) to remove excess fluid.
Consider the other options: 'Antidepressants' treat mood, and 'Antipyretics' treat fever. These functions do not align with the actions described in the question.
Conclude that 'Diuretic' is the only option that fits the described therapeutic effect.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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