HESI RN CAT Exit Exam Related

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Which instruction should the nurse provide to an elderly client who is taking an ACE inhibitor and a calcium channel blocker?

  • A. Wear long-sleeved clothing when outdoors
  • B. Report the onset of sore throat
  • C. Eat plenty of potassium-rich food
  • D. Change the position slowly
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Change the position slowly. Elderly clients taking both ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers are at risk for orthostatic hypotension. Instructing them to change positions slowly helps prevent sudden drops in blood pressure and dizziness upon standing up.

A: Wearing long-sleeved clothing when outdoors is not directly related to the medications mentioned.
B: Reporting the onset of a sore throat is important for monitoring potential side effects of medications but not specific to the combination of ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers.
C: Eating plenty of potassium-rich foods is not typically contraindicated for clients taking ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers, but it is not the most essential instruction compared to preventing orthostatic hypotension.

In summary, changing position slowly is crucial to prevent orthostatic hypotension, which is a common side effect of these medications in elderly clients.