A nurse should monitor for which parameter to assess the therapeutic effect of furosemide?

• A. Respiratory rate
• B. Blood pressure
• C. Pulse oximetry
• D. Babinski reflex

Answer: (D)

Furosemide lowers fluid volume in the body by promoting diuresis, so its therapeutic effect shows up as a reduction in fluid overload and a corresponding drop in blood pressure as circulating volume decreases. Monitoring blood pressure provides a direct sense of whether the diuretic is effectively decreasing fluid excess. While tracking urinary output or daily weight can also indicate fluid loss, those measures aren’t listed here. The other options don’t reflect the diuretic’s action: respiratory rate and pulse oximetry assess oxygenation and ventilation, not fluid status; Babinski reflex is a neurological sign unrelated to diuretic therapy.