Nurse educated the patient and caregiver on Aldactone and its mechanism of action as follows:

1. Aldactone is a potassium sparing diuretic that acts on the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct, both parts of the renal tubule, involved in the reabsorption of water and solutes from the urine.
2. Action of aldosterone on the collecting duct results in absorption of sodium and water from the collecting duct of the kidney and excretion of potassium in the urine. Aldactone use results in inhibition of the receptor of aldosterone and thereby, inhibit the action of aldosterone on the collecting duct. This also results in retention of potassium and excretion of sodium and water.
3. Since Aldactone prevents excretion of potassium from the body, it is considered a potassium sparing diuretics.
4. By inhibiting reabsorption of water and sodium in the kidney and promoting their loss in the urine, Aldactone helps with situations of fluid overload in the body, such as, compromise in cardiac, renal and liver functions, resulting in fluid backup and edema.
5. Reduced fluid volume in the body can help reduce the blood pressure.
6. By reducing fluid overload in the body and the blood pressure, Aldactone can also help with reducing the workload on the heart. Reducing the workload on the heart can contribute towards improving the efficiency of cardiac function in individuals with heart failure.
7. By reducing fluid overload in the body and the blood pressure, Aldactone can also help with reducing risk for stroke and progression of renal failure.