DIURETICS SELF-STUDY_REVISION QUESTIONS

1. Which class of diuretics causes the greatest excretion of sodium and water? Why are they so
effective and what is their mechanism of action?
2. Which class of diuretics causes the second most marked excretion of sodium and water? What is
the mechanism of action?
3. How does aldosterone promote sodium reabsorption in the collecting tubule?
4. Which diuretics cause potassium loss, and which are potassium sparing? By what mechanisms
do the latter work and how effective are they as diuretics?
5. Which diuretics promote calcium excretion, and which promote calcium retention? Which
diuretics promote magnesium excretion, and which diuretics promote magnesium retention?
6. Which diuretics may exacerbate gout?
7. Which diuretics cause metabolic alkalosis? Which diuretics cause metabolic acidosis?
8. What non-renal actions may be seen with: (a) Thiazide diuretics (b) Loop diuretics
9. Give an example of an osmotic diuretic and explain how it acts
10. What routes of administration are used with (a) Thiazides (b) Loop diuretics (c) Potassium
sparing diuretics (d) Mannitol?
11. What are the main clinical uses of the diuretics?
12. Explain the relationship between the pharmacokinetics of diuretics and their concentration at
the site of action
13. Describe the use of thiazides to prevent kidney stone production
14. Explain the mode of action of mannitol in reducing intracranial and intra-ocular pressure
15. Explain the rationale for the use of spironolactone in liver cirrhosis with ascites
16. Explain the mode of action of loop diuretics in reducing pulmonary odema
17. Explain the mechanism by which loop diuretics produce metabolic alkalosis
18. Explain the mechanism of thiazide-induced increase in renal excretion of potassium
19. List the main contraindications to carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
20. Explain the rationale for the use of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors in open angle glaucoma