The nurse is caring for a patient who has been taking metoprolol as a second medication to control hypertension. The nurse will assess for which side effect?

A. Let your provider know if a new cough occurs:
This teaching is essential because lisinopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, is associated with a potential side effect of a persistent, dry cough. Notifying the healthcare provider if a new cough develops allows for appropriate management, such as discontinuation or adjustment of the medication to alleviate the symptom.

B. Take the medication on a full stomach:
Taking lisinopril with or without food is acceptable, as it does not significantly affect its absorption. However, taking it on an empty stomach is often recommended to optimize absorption. Advising the patient to take the medication on a full stomach is incorrect and may lead to misunderstandings.

C. This medication will not cause edema:
Lisinopril, as an ACE inhibitor, may actually cause or exacerbate edema as a side effect. It can lead to vasodilation and fluid retention, particularly in susceptible individuals. Providing incorrect information about the medication's potential side effects can compromise patient understanding and safety.

D. Eat a high potassium diet:
Lisinopril can increase serum potassium levels, so instructing the patient to consume a high-potassium diet may exacerbate this effect and lead to hyperkalemia. While dietary potassium intake should be monitored, advising a high-potassium diet without proper guidance can pose risks to the patient's health.

A. Review serum electrolytes: Muscle cramps can be associated with electrolyte imbalances, such as hypokalemia (low potassium levels), which can occur as a side effect of ARB medications. Therefore, reviewing the patient's serum electrolyte levels, including potassium, can help identify any abnormalities that may be contributing to the muscle cramps. If hypokalemia is present, appropriate interventions such as potassium supplementation or adjustment of the ARB dosage may be necessary to alleviate the muscle cramps.

B. Request the patient's food diary: While assessing the patient's food diary may provide information about their dietary habits and potential factors contributing to muscle cramps (such as dehydration or inadequate nutrient intake), it may not directly address the potential electrolyte imbalance associated with ARB use. Therefore, while obtaining a food diary may be relevant, it is not the priority action in this scenario.

C. Place the patient on bed rest: Placing the patient on bed rest is not indicated solely based on complaints of muscle cramps. Muscle cramps can have various causes, and restricting the patient's activity may not address the underlying issue. Additionally, bed rest could lead to other complications such as deconditioning or venous thromboembolism, which are not warranted in this situation.

D. Observing vital signs: While monitoring vital signs is a routine nursing intervention, it may not directly address the patient's complaint of muscle cramps. Vital signs may be relevant in assessing overall health status, but they may not provide specific information about the cause of muscle cramps or guide appropriate interventions.