The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is being discharged on lisinopril 10 mg PO bid. Which teaching about this medication should be included in the discharge instructions?
Have blood drawn weekly to check for high magnesium levels
Avoid the use of salt substitutes in your diet
Notify your physician if a headache develops
Take your heart rate daily when on this medication
The Correct Answer is B
A. Have blood drawn weekly to check for high magnesium levels: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, does not significantly affect magnesium levels. Regular monitoring is more important for potassium and renal function (BUN/creatinine), especially in heart failure patients, not magnesium.
B. Avoid the use of salt substitutes in your diet: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE inhibitors can cause potassium retention by reducing the production of aldosterone. Many salt substitutes contain high amounts of potassium chloride and combining the two may lead to hyperkalemia. Patients should be instructed to avoid these substitutes unless approved by their provider.
C. Notify your physician if a headache develops: Headache is a relatively common and usually mild side effect of lisinopril. It does not typically warrant discontinuation or immediate provider notification unless it's severe or persistent with other symptoms like dizziness or visual changes.
D. Take your heart rate daily when on this medication: Lisinopril does not significantly affect heart rate. Monitoring blood pressure is more relevant, as ACE inhibitors are antihypertensives. Heart rate monitoring is more critical with beta blockers or calcium channel blockers.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Ensure all tubing connections are tightened: Tight tubing connections are critical in preventing accidental disconnection, which can result in rapid blood loss and air embolism. Arterial lines are under high pressure, so securing all connections is a top priority to ensure patient safety and maintain line integrity.
B. Apply a pressure dressing to the insertion site: A transparent occlusive dressing not a pressure dressing is used for arterial lines to allow for site visualization and reduce the risk of infection. A pressure dressing could obscure signs of bleeding or compromise the catheter’s position.
C. Perform an Allen's test: Allen’s test is performed prior to radial arterial line insertion to assess collateral circulation via the ulnar artery for preventing ischemic complications if the radial artery is compromised. Performing the test afterward does not prevent complications and is no longer relevant once the catheter is placed.
D. Obtain a portable x-ray to confirm placement: X-rays are used to confirm the placement of central lines, not peripheral arterial lines like the radial line. Arterial line placement is confirmed by waveform analysis and blood return, not imaging.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. BP 105/70 manually & flat neck veins: This blood pressure is within a low-normal range, and flat neck veins suggest no evidence of right-sided heart failure or cardiac tamponade. Though the patient needs evaluation, these findings are not emergent.
B. Equal breath sounds with a respiratory rate of 28: A mildly elevated respiratory rate can indicate distress, but equal breath sounds suggest the absence of pneumothorax or hemothorax. While the patient is symptomatic, this finding alone doesn't demand the most urgent intervention.
C. Distended neck veins & muffled heart sounds: These are classic signs of cardiac tamponade, a life-threatening emergency that can occur due to pacemaker lead perforation. This condition results in fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac, impairing cardiac output and requiring immediate intervention such as pericardiocentesis.
D. Heart rate 105 & respiratory rate of 28: These are signs of physiological compensation and indicate stress or early decompensation. However, without signs like neck vein distention or muffled heart sounds, they are less critical than the findings in option C.
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