National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

For a patient taking thiazide medication, which combination of signs may indicate an adverse effect?

1. Agitation, dizziness, dyspnea, and hyperventilation

2. Abdominal cramps, agitation, dyspnea, and numbness

3. Clammy skin, dizziness, hyperventilation, and hypotension

4. Abdominal cramps, clammy skin, hypotension, and numbness

The correct answer is: Clammy skin, dizziness, hyperventilation, and hypotension

Thiazide diuretics are commonly prescribed to manage conditions such as hypertension and heart failure, but they can lead to several adverse effects. The combination of clammy skin, dizziness, hyperventilation, and hypotension suggests a state of dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, which are known risks associated with thiazide use. Clammy skin can indicate poor peripheral perfusion, often related to hypotension or low blood volume. Dizziness signals that the patient's blood pressure may be too low, leading to inadequate cerebral perfusion. Hyperventilation can occur as a physiological response to metabolic changes or anxiety but may also manifest in the context of electrolyte disturbances. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is a direct consequence of diuretic use, especially if the patient has experienced excessive fluid loss. In this case, the combination of these signs suggests a serious adverse reaction to the thiazide medication, particularly due to possible volume depletion and associated electrolyte imbalances, which are critical to monitor in patients taking these drugs. This reinforces the necessity for clinicians to carefully observe patients on thiazide diuretics for these potential complications.