An elderly patient with impaired renal function is prescribed a diuretic medication. Which risk increases as fluid and electrolyte balance becomes disrupted?

💡 Explanation

Diuretics increase fluid excretion, potentially leading to electrolyte imbalances like hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia; because these electrolytes are crucial for cardiac function, imbalances can predispose patients to arrhythmias. Therefore, cardiac arrhythmia risk increases, rather than improving bone density, immune response, or cognitive function, which are not directly linked to diuretic-induced electrolyte shifts.

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