A nurse is collecting data from a client who has heart failure and is taking furosemide. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the medication is effective?

A. Decreased hemoglobin level: A reduction in hemoglobin is not an expected effect of furosemide and may indicate anemia or another unrelated condition. It does not reflect the diuretic’s effectiveness in managing fluid overload. B. Increased weight of 0.91 kg (2 lb): An increase in weight suggests fluid retention rather than loss. Effective furosemide therapy should result in stable or decreased weight as excess fluid is excreted. Monitoring weight helps assess fluid balance in heart failure patients. C. Decreased BUN level: Changes in BUN are influenced by multiple factors including renal function, hydration, and protein intake. A decrease is not a reliable indicator of furosemide effectiveness in reducing fluid volume. D. Increased urinary output: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes excretion of sodium and water. An increase in urinary output indicates that the medication is effectively removing excess fluid, reducing edema, and alleviating symptoms of heart failure.