A 78-year-old client is admitted to the emergency department with a heart rate of 34 beats/min. Family members tell the nurse that the client may have mistakenly taken several doses of donepezil. The nurse should anticipate what intervention to treat the client's bradycardia?

This is the correct response. ACE inhibitors are known to cause a persistent, dry, and irritating cough in some individuals. This adverse effect occurs due to the accumulation of bradykinin and other substances in the lungs, leading to increased sensitivity of the cough reflex. The cough typically resolves upon discontinuation of the ACE inhibitor.

B) Respiratory depression:
Respiratory depression is not a common side effect of ACE inhibitors. ACE inhibitors do not directly affect respiratory drive or function in the central nervous system. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

C) Spontaneous pneumothorax:
Spontaneous pneumothorax is not a typical adverse effect associated with ACE inhibitor use. ACE inhibitors do not directly cause the development of pneumothorax, which is characterized by the presence of air in the pleural space. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

D) Pneumonia:
While ACE inhibitors can increase the risk of respiratory infections due to their effect on the immune system, pneumonia is not a specific adverse effect associated with ACE inhibitor use. Pneumonia is typically caused by infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi, rather than being a direct effect of ACE inhibitors. Therefore, this option is incorrect.”

A) By blocking the effects of histamine in the body:
Antihistamines are pharmacological agents that work by antagonizing the effects of histamine, a chemical mediator released by mast cells and basophils in response to allergens or other triggers. Histamine contributes to various allergic symptoms such as itching, sneezing, nasal congestion, and watery eyes. Antihistamines exert their effects by competitively binding to histamine receptors (specifically H1 receptors) on target cells, thereby preventing histamine from binding and exerting its physiological effects. By blocking histamine receptors, antihistamines inhibit the action of histamine, leading to the alleviation of allergy symptoms.

B) By reducing inflammation in the body:
While some medications, such as corticosteroids, exert anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the immune response and inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediators, antihistamines primarily target histamine receptors and do not directly reduce inflammation. Although histamine release can contribute to inflammation, antihistamines mitigate allergic symptoms primarily by blocking the action of histamine rather than by directly reducing inflammation.

C) By increasing the production of histamine in the body:
This statement is inaccurate. Antihistamines do not increase the production of histamine; instead, they counteract the effects of histamine by blocking its activity at receptor sites. The primary mechanism of action of antihistamines involves blocking histamine receptors to prevent histamine from exerting its physiological effects.

D) By stimulating the immune system:
Antihistamines do not stimulate the immune system. Instead, they act as antagonists to histamine receptors, thereby inhibiting histamine-induced responses. While histamine is involved in immune responses and allergic reactions, antihistamines do not directly modulate immune function or stimulate immune activity. Their primary role is to alleviate allergy symptoms by blocking the effects of histamine."