A nurse is caring for client who is taking lisinopril (ACE inhibitor). Which of the following outcomes indicates a therapeutic effect of the medication?

A) Keep the head of the client’s bed elevated to 45 degrees:
Elevating the head of the bed to 45 degrees can actually increase the risk of pressure injuries, particularly in clients who are already at risk. This position can cause shearing forces and increase pressure on areas such as the sacrum, heels, and hips, making it more likely for pressure ulcers to develop.

B) Provide the client with a high-calorie diet:
A high-calorie diet is important for clients at risk of pressure injuries because adequate nutrition supports skin integrity and wound healing. Clients at risk for pressure injuries often have compromised nutritional status, and providing sufficient calories, protein, and other nutrients helps improve tissue regeneration and resilience. A high-calorie, high-protein diet helps prevent further breakdown of the skin and supports the healing process for any existing wounds.

C) Massage the client’s bony prominences:
Massaging bony prominences, such as the heels, elbows, and sacrum, is not recommended because it can cause tissue damage and increase the risk of pressure injury. Instead, the focus should be on minimizing pressure on these areas and using appropriate methods to redistribute pressure, such as repositioning the client or using pressure-relieving devices.

D) Reposition the client every 4 hours:
Repositioning the client every 4 hours may not be frequent enough for those at high risk for pressure injuries. For individuals who are immobile or at high risk, repositioning should typically occur at least every 2 hours to alleviate pressure on vulnerable areas of the body.

A) Improved sexual function:
While ACE inhibitors like lisinopril may have a beneficial impact on overall health, improved sexual function is not a direct therapeutic effect of this medication. In fact, ACE inhibitors can sometimes cause side effects like sexual dysfunction in some individuals. Therefore, improved sexual function is not considered a therapeutic outcome for lisinopril.

B) Decreased blood pressure:
Lisinopril is an ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor that works by blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, which results in vasodilation and lowered blood pressure. Therefore, a decreased blood pressure is the expected and desired outcome when a client is on lisinopril. This is the primary therapeutic effect of the medication.

C) Increase of HDL cholesterol:
Lisinopril does not have a direct effect on increasing HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. While ACE inhibitors may have some indirect cardiovascular benefits, such as improving endothelial function or reducing risk factors for heart disease, raising HDL cholesterol is not one of their specific effects. This outcome would not indicate a therapeutic effect of lisinopril.

D) Prevention of bipolar manic episodes:
Lisinopril is not used for the treatment or prevention of bipolar disorder or its manic episodes. While certain medications, such as mood stabilizers or antipsychotics, may be used in the management of bipolar disorder, lisinopril is not effective for this purpose. Therefore, preventing bipolar manic episodes is not a therapeutic outcome of lisinopril.