Name a common potassium-sparing diuretic.

Spironolactone is a common potassium-sparing diuretic that works by antagonizing the effects of aldosterone in the distal nephron of the kidney. By doing so, it helps the body retain potassium while promoting the excretion of sodium and water. This unique mechanism allows spironolactone to be effective in managing conditions like hypertension, heart failure, and edema while minimizing the risk of hypokalemia, a side effect that is common with other types of diuretics.

Other diuretics listed—furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, and bumetanide—are classified as loop or thiazide diuretics, respectively, and they typically increase the excretion of potassium along with sodium and water. This results in a higher likelihood of potassium depletion, which is a significant difference from spironolactone's potassium-sparing qualities.