Spironolactone opposes the action of aldosterone.

This could lead to which of the following?

Options:
explanation: Sodium is reabsorbed under the control of aldosterone which induces the expression of ENaC on the apical membranes of distal convoluted tubule cells. Furthermore, in the distal convoluted tubule, potassium is excreted under the control of aldosterone via basal sodium-potassium exchanger ATPase and apical potassium channels. Therefore, spironolactone (which opposes the action of aldosterone) will decrease the reabsorption of sodium (and therefore water) and increase the reabsorption of potassium. It is for this reason that it is referred to as a potassium-sparing diuretic. Spironolactone is used to reduce peripheral oedema caused by fluid retention during heart failure, rather than causing peripheral oedema.
name: Peripheral oedema
label: c
answer: no
explanation: Sodium is reabsorbed under the control of aldosterone which induces the expression of ENaC on the apical membranes of distal convoluted tubule cells. Furthermore, in the distal convoluted tubule, potassium is excreted under the control of aldosterone via basal sodium-potassium exchanger ATPase and apical potassium channels. Therefore, spironolactone (which opposes the action of aldosterone) will decrease the reabsorption of sodium (and therefore water) and increase the reabsorption of potassium. It is for this reason that it is referred to as a potassium-sparing diuretic. It is therefore more likely to cause hyperkalaemia than hypokalaemia.
name: Hypokalaemia
label: d
answer: no
explanation: Sodium is reabsorbed under the control of aldosterone which induces the expression of ENaC on the apical membranes of distal convoluted tubule cells. Furthermore, in the distal convoluted tubule, potassium is excreted under the control of aldosterone via basal sodium-potassium exchanger ATPase and apical potassium channels. Therefore, spironolactone (which opposes the action of aldosterone) will decrease the reabsorption of sodium (and therefore water) and increase the reabsorption of potassium. It is for this reason that it is referred to as a potassium-sparing diuretic and can be associated with hyperkalaemia.
name: Hyperkalaemia
label: a
answer: yes
explanation: Malignant hyperthermia is caused by the inappropriate activation of ryanodine receptor calcium channels, causing muscular contraction and increased metabolism. This can be triggered by drugs such as volatile anaesthetics and reversed by dantrolene.

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name: Malignant hyperthermia
label: e
answer: no
explanation: Sodium is reabsorbed under the control of aldosterone which induces the expression of ENaC on the apical membranes of distal convoluted tubule cells. Furthermore, in the distal convoluted tubule, potassium is excreted under the control of aldosterone via basal sodium-potassium exchanger ATPase and apical potassium channels. Therefore, spironolactone (which opposes the action of aldosterone) will decrease the reabsorption of sodium (and therefore water) and increase the reabsorption of potassium. It is for this reason that it is referred to as a potassium-sparing diuretic. It is therefore more likely to cause hyponatraemia than hypernatremia.
name: Hypernatraemia
label: b
answer: no

Correct answer: a