What adverse effect should a client taking acetazolamide for glaucoma monitor?

Enhance your pharmacology knowledge for the assessment. Prepare with quizzes featuring flashcards and multiple-choice questions with explanations and hints.

A client taking acetazolamide for glaucoma should monitor for tingling of the fingers, which is an indicative symptom of a potential adverse effect known as paresthesia. Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that works by decreasing the production of aqueous humor in the eye, helping to lower intraocular pressure. However, one of the side effects of this medication is the alteration of electrolyte balance, particularly the excretion of bicarbonate, which can lead to metabolic acidosis. This change can cause neurological symptoms such as numbness or tingling, especially in the extremities.

Monitoring for such symptoms is crucial because if they occur, it may suggest the need for a dose adjustment or a reconsideration of therapy. The other options, while they may have their own implications, are not commonly associated adverse effects of acetazolamide. Weight gain, constipation, and oliguria are not typical concerns related to this medication, making the tingling of fingers a more relevant symptom to monitor.

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