A patient who has recently begun taking captopril (Capoten) to treat HTN calls a clinic to report a persistent cough.
The nurse will perform which action?
Reassure the client that this is nothing to worry about and will diminish over time.
Tell the patient to stop taking the drug immediately as this is a serious side effect of the drug.
Schedule an appointment with the provider to discuss changing to an ARB.
Instruct the patient to go to the emergency room immediately as this is a hypersensitivity reaction.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Reassuring the client without addressing the persistent cough would not be appropriate as it may signal a need for a different medication. The ACE inhibitor captopril can cause a bothersome, persistent cough in some patients due to increased bradykinin levels.
Choice B rationale
Instructing the patient to stop the medication immediately is not advised without consulting the healthcare provider. While the cough is a known side effect, stopping the medication abruptly may lead to unmanaged hypertension.
Choice C rationale
Scheduling an appointment with the provider to discuss changing to an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) is appropriate. ARBs do not typically cause a persistent cough, making them a suitable alternative for patients who experience this side effect with ACE inhibitors.
Choice D rationale
Instructing the patient to go to the emergency room immediately is unnecessary as the persistent cough is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors and not an emergency situation. Emergency action is warranted for symptoms of angioedema, such as swelling of the face or throat.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
This choice is incorrect. Although knowledge about drug therapy is important, it is not the most immediate concern in this scenario. The priority nursing diagnosis should address the potential risks associated with the drug’s side effects, such as sedation, which can impair the patient’s ability to function safely.
Choice B rationale
This choice is incorrect. While effective health maintenance and medication adherence are crucial, they do not directly address the immediate risk posed by the drug’s sedative effects. The priority should be to prevent harm and ensure the patient’s safety, which involves mitigating the risk of injury related to sedation.
Choice C rationale
This choice is correct. The primary concern with sedative drugs, especially in elderly patients, is the increased risk of falls and injuries due to impaired coordination and alertness. The nursing diagnosis “Risk for injury, related to adverse effect of the drug” directly addresses this critical issue, making it the priority in this situation.
Choice D rationale
This choice is incorrect. Noncompliance due to the cost of the drug is an important consideration, but it does not address the immediate safety risk posed by sedation. The priority should be to ensure the patient’s safety by managing the side effects that could lead to injury. Cost-related concerns can be addressed after ensuring that the patient is not at immediate risk of harm. .
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Step 1 is (120 mL ÷ 60 min) × 15 gtt/mL.
Step 2 is (2 mL/min) × 15 gtt/mL.
Step 3 is 30 gtt/min.
Final calculated answer is 30 gtt/min.
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