Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 80%
Simulated
A patient who has recently begun taking captopril (Capoten) to treat HTN calls a clinic to report a persistent cough. The nurse will perform which action?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct answer is C. The nurse should schedule an appointment with the provider to discuss changing to an ARB (angiotensin II receptor blocker). Captopril, an ACE inhibitor, can cause a persistent cough as a common side effect due to increased bradykinin levels. Switching to an ARB, which works similarly but does not affect bradykinin levels, can resolve the cough while still effectively treating hypertension.
Explanation for other choices:
A: Incorrect. Persistent cough with captopril is not something to be disregarded as it can impact the patient's quality of life and adherence to treatment.
B: Incorrect. Stopping the medication abruptly without provider guidance can lead to uncontrolled hypertension.
D: Incorrect. A hypersensitivity reaction typically involves more severe symptoms beyond just a cough.
Explanation for other choices:
A: Incorrect. Persistent cough with captopril is not something to be disregarded as it can impact the patient's quality of life and adherence to treatment.
B: Incorrect. Stopping the medication abruptly without provider guidance can lead to uncontrolled hypertension.
D: Incorrect. A hypersensitivity reaction typically involves more severe symptoms beyond just a cough.