What instruction should the nurse include when preparing discharge instructions for a client who will take enalapril for hypertension?

What instruction should the nurse include when preparing discharge instructions for a client who will take enalapril for hypertension?

• A. Change to a standing position slowly.
• B. This may color your urine green.
• C. The medication may cause a sore throat for the first few days.
• D. Schedule blood tests weekly for the first 2 months.

Answer: (A)

The instruction to change to a standing position slowly is particularly important when taking enalapril, an ACE inhibitor. This medication can cause a drop in blood pressure, especially during the initial phase of treatment or after an increase in dosage. This side effect is due to vasodilation, where the blood vessels widen, leading to decreased systemic vascular resistance. If a person stands up too quickly, they may experience dizziness or fainting as their body adjusts to the change in position. Therefore, advising patients to rise slowly helps mitigate this risk and enhances their safety during the initial stages of treatment. While other choices mention potential side effects or follow-up practices, they do not focus on the immediate safety concern associated with medication that can affect blood pressure. For instance, while some medications can alter urine color or cause throat discomfort, these are not applicable to enalapril. Additionally, routine blood tests are important, but not to the extent of needing weekly assessments purely for enalapril unless there’s another specific clinical reason to monitor more closely.

The instruction to change to a standing position slowly is particularly important when taking enalapril, an ACE inhibitor. This medication can cause a drop in blood pressure, especially during the initial phase of treatment or after an increase in dosage. This side effect is due to vasodilation, where the blood vessels widen, leading to decreased systemic vascular resistance. If a person stands up too quickly, they may experience dizziness or fainting as their body adjusts to the change in position. Therefore, advising patients to rise slowly helps mitigate this risk and enhances their safety during the initial stages of treatment.

While other choices mention potential side effects or follow-up practices, they do not focus on the immediate safety concern associated with medication that can affect blood pressure. For instance, while some medications can alter urine color or cause throat discomfort, these are not applicable to enalapril. Additionally, routine blood tests are important, but not to the extent of needing weekly assessments purely for enalapril unless there’s another specific clinical reason to monitor more closely.