If a patient prescribed spironolactone reports decreased urination, what should the nurse ask?

When evaluating the situation of a patient prescribed spironolactone who reports decreased urination, it is important to consider how certain medications can affect urinary output. Salicylates, which include common over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, can lead to renal issues and potentially impact kidney function. When kidney function is impaired, it can result in decreased urine production.

Asking about salicylate use directly addresses the possibility that this medication may be influencing the patient’s diuretic response and urinary output. Understanding the entire context of the patient’s medication regimen is critical in assessing why urinary output may have changed.

In contrast, questions about diet, other medications, or fluid intake do not specifically target a potential pharmacological interaction as pertained to spironolactone and might not reveal a direct cause for the decrease in urination.