Which of the following is a common adverse effect associated with loop diuretics?

Loop diuretics, such as furosemide and bumetanide, are primarily used to treat conditions like heart failure and edema by promoting the excretion of sodium and water through the kidneys. One common adverse effect associated with the use of loop diuretics is metabolic alkalosis. This occurs because loop diuretics can lead to significant electrolyte imbalances, particularly lowering potassium levels, which might subsequently influence acid-base balance in the body.

In addition to the diuretic effect, the loss of bicarbonate can also contribute to an alkaline state, making patients at risk for metabolic alkalosis. This is more likely to occur when loop diuretics cause significant fluid loss, leading to a compensatory response in the renal and respiratory systems aiming to restore balance, but inadvertently resulting in alkalosis.

Other choices, such as hyperkalemia, typically are not associated with loop diuretics as they tend to promote potassium excretion rather than retention. Anemia is not a direct effect of loop diuretics, while hypertension may actually be treated using these drugs rather than being a side effect.