What patient education should be given to a client going home with a new prescription for the potassium-sparing diuretic spironolactone?

Choice A reason: This choice is incorrect because sulfa allergy is not a priority assessment for the nurse to make prior to giving nifedipine. Sulfa allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction to drugs that contain sulfonamide, such as antibiotics, diuretics, or antidiabetic agents. Sulfa allergy can cause symptoms such as rash, itching, fever, or anaphylaxis. Nifedipine does not contain sulfonamide and does not cross-react with sulfa drugs. The nurse should ask the client about any drug allergies and document them, but sulfa allergy is not relevant to nifedipine.

Choice B reason: This choice is incorrect because aPTT is not a priority assessment for the nurse to make prior to giving nifedipine. aPTT stands for activated partial thromboplastin time, which is a measure of how long it takes the blood to clot. It is used to monitor the effect of anticoagulant drugs, such as heparin, that prevent blood clots. Nifedipine does not affect the blood clotting time and does not interact with anticoagulant drugs. The nurse should check the aPTT only if the client is taking anticoagulant drugs and has signs of bleeding or clotting.

Choice C reason: This choice is incorrect because hemoglobin is not a priority assessment for the nurse to make prior to giving nifedipine. Hemoglobin is a protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues and organs of the body. Hemoglobin levels can be affected by conditions such as anemia, dehydration, or blood loss. Nifedipine does not affect the hemoglobin levels or the oxygen delivery. The nurse should monitor the hemoglobin levels and the signs of anemia, such as fatigue, pallor, or shortness of breath, but they are not related to nifedipine.

Choice D reason: This choice is correct because blood pressure is the priority assessment for the nurse to make prior to giving nifedipine. Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker that lowers blood pressure and relaxes the blood vessels. It is used to treat conditions such as hypertension, angina, and Raynaud's phenomenon. However, nifedipine can cause side effects such as hypotension (low blood pressure), dizziness, headache, flushing, and edema (swelling). The nurse should check the client's blood pressure before giving nifedipine and withhold the dose if the blood pressure is too low. The nurse should also monitor the client's blood pressure and the signs of hypotension, such as fainting, weakness, or chest pain.

Choice A reason: This choice is incorrect because checking the apical heart rate before taking calcium channel blockers is not necessary for most patients. Calcium channel blockers are a group of medications that relax and widen blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and slow the heart rate. They are used to treat conditions such as hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias. The nurse should check the apical heart rate only if the patient has a history of bradycardia (slow heart rate) or heart block (a problem with the electrical conduction of the heart).

Choice B reason: This choice is incorrect because calcium channel blockers do not cause increased blood pressure, but rather lower it. Blurred vision is not a common side effect of calcium channel blockers, and it may indicate other problems, such as eye infection, glaucoma, or stroke. The nurse should instruct the patient to report any changes in vision, but not to associate them with calcium channel blockers.

Choice C reason: This choice is incorrect because calcium channel blockers do not affect cholesterol levels, and the time of day they are taken does not matter. Cholesterol is a type of fat that circulates in the blood and can build up in the arteries, causing atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries). Cholesterol levels are influenced by diet, exercise, genetics, and other medications, such as statins. The nurse should advise the patient to follow a healthy lifestyle and take any prescribed medications for cholesterol control.

Choice D reason: This choice is correct because grapefruit juice can interact with some calcium channel blockers, such as nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem, and increase their blood levels and effects. This can cause serious side effects, such as low blood pressure, dizziness, headache, flushing, and edema (swelling). The nurse should warn the patient to avoid grapefruit juice and any products that contain grapefruit while taking calcium channel blockers.