What indicators might a nurse use to evaluate the effectiveness of a diuretic treatment for a patient with edema? (Select all that apply.)

To effectively evaluate the effectiveness of diuretic treatment for a patient with edema, monitoring daily weight is crucial. Changes in weight can provide immediate insight into fluid status; weight loss indicates a reduction in excessive fluid, while weight gain may signify fluid retention. Diuretics aim to reduce edema by promoting urinary excretion of excess sodium and water. Therefore, a consistent decrease in daily weight often correlates with successful diuretic therapy.

Blood pressure readings can also be relevant, as diuretics can lower blood pressure. However, their primary use in the context of edema is to reduce fluid overload, which may not directly correlate with the evaluation of edema itself.

A decrease in edema is another vital indicator of treatment effectiveness, as the primary goal of diuretics in this scenario is to alleviate fluid accumulation in tissues. Hence, nurses would look for observable reductions in swelling or puffiness in the affected areas as a measure of the therapy's success.

Increased appetite, on the other hand, is not directly related to the effectiveness of diuretic therapy for edema. While a patient's overall well-being is important, it does not serve as a reliable indicator of how well the diuretic is performing in managing fluid levels and alleviating edema.

Focusing on