An elderly patient, already experiencing mild cognitive impairment, is prescribed a diuretic for hypertension; which risk increases as a result of this treatment combined with impaired thirst sensation?

💡 Explanation

Diuretics increase fluid excretion. Because the patient has impaired thirst sensation, they are less likely to drink enough to compensate for the fluid loss induced by the diuretic; therefore, the risk of dehydration increases, rather than simply experiencing hyponatremia or changes in ADH.

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