The nurse is planning education for a client newly prescribed theophylline. What information should the nurse plan to include? Select all that apply.

A. Report clear-colored sputum to the provider: Clear-colored sputum is typically normal and not an indication of infection or complication. The client does not need to report it unless accompanied by other concerning symptoms.

B. Increase your oral fluid intake: Guaifenesin is an expectorant that works by thinning and loosening mucus in the airways. Increasing fluid intake helps optimize its effectiveness, making coughs more productive and facilitating mucus clearance.

C. Report symptoms that last longer than 2 days: Symptoms of a sinus infection often last longer than two days, and short-duration monitoring is insufficient. Clients are usually advised to report persistent or worsening symptoms after about 7–10 days, so this instruction is inaccurate.

D. This medication will stop your cough: Guaifenesin does not suppress cough; instead, it loosens mucus to make coughing more productive. Telling the client it will stop their cough could lead to misunderstanding of the medication’s purpose and effectiveness.

A. Productive cough: A persistent cough is commonly associated with ACE inhibitors, not angiotensin receptor blockers like valsartan. Clients taking valsartan rarely experience cough as a side effect.

B. Hypotension: Valsartan lowers blood pressure by blocking angiotensin II receptors, which can sometimes lead to excessive blood pressure reduction. Monitoring for hypotension, especially after the initial doses or in clients with volume depletion, is important to prevent dizziness, falls, or syncope.

C. Respiratory depression: Respiratory depression is not a known adverse effect of valsartan. The medication primarily affects the cardiovascular system without depressing the respiratory drive.

D. Hypokalemia: Unlike some diuretics, valsartan does not typically cause potassium loss. In fact, ARBs may slightly increase serum potassium levels, so hypokalemia is not a common concern with this drug.