A nurse is assisting with a presentation about caring for clients who are receiving diuretic therapy. The nurse should explain that which of the following medications can put clients at risk for hyperkalemia?

(A) Develop client-specific goals and outcomes: While this is an important step in the nursing process, it is not the first step. Before developing goals and outcomes, the nurse needs to understand the client’s situation, which in this case involves determining the nature of the client’s grief.

(B) Incorporate the treatment into the client’s care: Incorporating treatment into the client’s care is part of the implementation phase of the nursing process. Before this step, the nurse needs to assess the client’s condition and plan the care, which includes understanding the nature of the client’s grief.

(C) Determine whether coping strategies were successful: Determining the success of coping strategies is part of the evaluation phase of the nursing process. This is typically done after the implementation of care and treatment. It is not the first step in caring for a client experiencing grief.

(D) Establish whether the client’s grieving is healthy or complicated: This is the most appropriate answer. The first step in the nursing process is assessment. For a client experiencing grief, this would involve establishing whether the client’s grieving is healthy (a normal response to loss) or complicated (prolonged or more intense grief that may require additional support or intervention). This understanding will guide the subsequent steps of the nursing process, including planning care and setting goals.

A. “Your cholesterol levels should be monitored monthly while taking this medication”: Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. It does not typically affect cholesterol levels, so monthly cholesterol monitoring is not usually necessary.

B. “Make sure your diet contains a lot of potassium-rich foods.”: While a balanced diet is important for overall health, patients taking lisinopril should be cautious about consuming too much potassium. Lisinopril can increase potassium levels in the body, and consuming too many potassium-rich foods could lead to hyperkalemia, a condition characterized by high levels of potassium in the blood.

C. “Monitor your blood pressure on a regular basis.”: This is correct. Since lisinopril is used to treat high blood pressure, it’s important for patients to monitor their blood pressure regularly to ensure the medication is working effectively.

D. “Notify your doctor immediately if you become pregnant.”: This is correct. Lisinopril is not recommended during pregnancy as it can harm the unborn baby. If a patient becomes pregnant while taking lisinopril, they should notify their doctor immediately.

E. “Report the development of a persistent dry cough.”: This is correct. A persistent dry cough is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors like lisinopril. If a patient develops this symptom, they should report it to their healthcare provider.