Author Question: An older adult client is prescribed a diuretic and an antihypertensive drug as treatment for his ... (Read 129 times)

saraeharris · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

An older adult client is prescribed a diuretic and an antihypertensive drug as treatment for his hypertension. The client tells the nurse that he has been perspiring a lot lately and has had some diarrhea.

Which nursing diagnosis would the nurse most likely identify as a priority?

A) Risk for Deficient Fluid Volume
B) Ineffective Sexuality Patterns
C) Activity Intolerance
D) Acute Pain

Question 2

A nurse is instructing a client about his prescribed antihypertensive therapy with captopril. Which of the following instructions would the nurse include in the teaching plan? Select all that apply.

A) Taking the drug with meals to decrease GI upset
B) Informing the client about the possibility of a cough
C) Crushing the capsule before taking it
D) Taking measures to reduce injury from hypotension
E) Reporting any swelling of the face, throat, or extremities

micaelaswann · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Ans: A
Feedback:
Risk for Deficient Fluid Volume would be the most likely priority because the client is receiving a diuretic and an antihypertensive drug. The risk increases if the client is older or confused. Ineffective Sexuality Patterns would be appropriate if the client were to experience sexual dysfunction related to drug therapy. Activity Intolerance would be appropriate if the client complained of feeling tired and weak. Acute Pain would be related to the development of a headache that may occur with angiotensin II receptor blockers or antiadrenergics.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: B, D
Feedback:
The client needs to know that some clients experience a dry cough that does not subside until drug therapy is discontinued and this reaction may need to be tolerated. In addition, these drugs may cause a significant drop in blood pressure after the first dose, so the client needs to take measures to reduce the risk of injury from the drug's effects. The ACE inhibitors, captopril and moexipril, should be taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals to enhance absorption. The drugs are sustained-release capsules that should not be crushed, opened, or chewed. ACEIs do not cause angioedema.