A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who takes furosemide and has a serum potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L. Which of the following foods should the nurse instruct the client to include in his daily diet?

The correct answer is A. Captopril.

Choice A: Captopril Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to treat conditions like high blood pressure and heart failure. One of the common side effects of ACE inhibitors is a persistent, non-productive cough. This cough occurs due to the accumulation of bradykinin, a potent peptide that can induce coughing.

Choice B: Metoprolol Metoprolol is a beta-blocker used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. Common side effects include dizziness, slow or irregular heartbeat, and unusual tiredness or weakness. However, it is not typically associated with a non-productive cough.

Choice C: Furosemide Furosemide is a loop diuretic used to treat fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, liver disease, or a kidney disorder. While it can cause side effects like diarrhea, constipation, and loss of appetite, a non-productive cough is not a typical side effect of Furosemide.

Choice D: Digoxin Digoxin is used to treat heart failure and irregular heartbeat. Common side effects include dizziness, slow or irregular heartbeat, and unusual tiredness or weakness. However, a non-productive cough is not a typical side effect of Digoxin.

Choice A rationale:

The nurse should prioritize collecting data from a client who reports unilateral calf pain when ambulating. This symptom could indicate the presence of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially life-threatening condition. DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, often in the lower extremities. If left untreated, the clot can dislodge and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. Immediate assessment is crucial to rule out DVT and provide appropriate interventions. The nurse should assess the client's calf for swelling, redness, warmth, and tenderness and may also order diagnostic tests like a duplex ultrasound.

Choice B rationale:

Taking a telephone prescription for a client being transferred from the PACU is important but not the top priority in this situation. While timely transfer and adequate post-operative care are essential, addressing a client with unilateral calf pain and the potential for a DVT takes precedence due to the risk of a life-threatening complication.

Choice C rationale:

Reassuring the partner of a client who sustained a closed head injury is a compassionate action but should not be the first priority. The partner's emotional support can be provided once the immediate medical concerns have been addressed.

Choice D rationale:

Reinforcing a client's dressing on an above-the-knee amputation surgical site is important for the client's post-operative care, but it is not the highest priority when compared to the possibility of a DVT. The nurse should address the client's calf pain first and then attend to the dressing reinforcement.