The nurse is planning education for a client who has been prescribed an antihypertensive drug. For each nursing education, click to specify whether the education is appropriate or not appropriate.

• Decreased sneezing: Diphenhydramine, an H1 receptor antagonist, reduces histamine-mediated symptoms of allergies, including sneezing. A decrease in sneezing demonstrates that the medication is effectively controlling the allergic response. This is a direct therapeutic effect of antihistamine administration.

• Tearing of the eyes: Persistent tearing is a symptom of allergic reactions and indicates that diphenhydramine is not fully alleviating the allergic response. Continued eye tearing does not reflect a therapeutic effect and may require adjunctive therapy.

• Presence of urticaria: The continued presence of urticaria (hives) indicates that the allergic reaction is ongoing. Diphenhydramine is intended to relieve urticaria, so its persistence shows that the medication has not yet achieved the desired therapeutic effect.

• Increased cough: An increase in coughing does not reflect the effectiveness of diphenhydramine, as cough is not a primary target symptom for this antihistamine unless histamine-mediated. Worsening cough suggests inadequate symptom control or another underlying cause.

• Hypertension: Benazepril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to lower blood pressure by blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. This results in vasodilation and reduced aldosterone secretion, which lowers systemic vascular resistance. It is commonly prescribed as first-line or adjunct therapy for chronic hypertension.

• Hyperkalemia: ACE inhibitors decrease aldosterone secretion, leading to reduced potassium excretion by the kidneys. In clients with existing hyperkalemia, benazepril can further elevate potassium levels, increasing the risk of dangerous cardiac dysrhythmias. Serum potassium must be monitored closely in clients receiving this medication.

• Breastfeeding: Benazepril can be excreted into breast milk and may affect neonatal renal function and blood pressure regulation. Infants exposed to ACE inhibitors are at risk for hypotension and renal impairment. Because of these potential effects, benazepril is contraindicated during breastfeeding.