A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for furosemide. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an adverse effect of the medication?

Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits the Na-K-2Cl transporter in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, causing significant sodium and water excretion. This diuresis reduces circulating blood volume, which can lead to hypotension — a well-recognized and common adverse effect. Nurses must monitor blood pressure before and after administration and instruct clients to rise slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension. Regarding the distractors: furosemide actually causes hypokalemia, not hyperkalemia, because it increases potassium excretion in the distal nephron. Spironolactone, an aldosterone antagonist, causes hyperkalemia. Hypersalivation is not a recognized adverse effect of furosemide; the drug can cause dry mouth due to fluid depletion. Hypoglycemia is not associated with furosemide; in fact, furosemide may slightly impair insulin secretion, leading to hyperglycemia rather than hypoglycemia in some clients. Therefore, hypotension is the correct adverse effect the nurse should monitor for when a client is receiving furosemide.