What it means
A strong, fast-acting diuretic that works on the loop of Henle in the kidney. It is used for fluid overload from heart failure, kidney disease and liver disease, for pulmonary edema, and for high blood pressure. Along with the water it removes potassiumpuh-TAS-ee-umA mineral in the blood that nerves and muscles, including the heart, need in order to work.Full entry , so hypokalemiahy-poh-kuh-LEE-mee-uhA blood potassium level below normal, under 3.5 mEq/L.hypo- belowkal potassium (from its Latin name, kalium)-emia in the bloodFull entry is its most important side effect.
For the nurse
Check the potassium level and blood pressure before giving it, and weigh the client daily at the same time on the same scale. Give it in the morning so the client is not up all night to urinate. Push IV doses slowly: a rapid, high dose can damage hearing.
Remember it
Lasix lasts six hours.
At a glance
| Drug class | loop diuretic |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Lasix |
| Spanish | furosemida |
Related terms
potassium
A mineral in the blood that nerves and muscles, including the heart, need in order to work.
hypokalemia
A blood potassium level below normal, under 3.5 mEq/L.