A nurse is educating a client who has a new prescription for digoxin. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

A) "Your urine will turn orange while you are taking this medication":
Correct. Rifampin is known to cause orange discoloration of bodily fluids, including urine, sweat, saliva, and tears. Informing the client about this common side effect helps alleviate concerns and ensures they are aware of the medication's expected effects.

B) "You should take this medication once each day at bedtime":
Incorrect. Rifampin is typically prescribed once daily, but the timing may vary based on the specific regimen prescribed by the healthcare provider. It is essential for the nurse to provide accurate information about the dosing schedule based on the client's prescription.

C) "You can continue to wear soft contact lenses while taking this medication":
Incorrect. Rifampin can cause discoloration of contact lenses. Therefore, clients should be advised to avoid wearing soft contact lenses during treatment to prevent staining.

D) "This medication will not interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives":
Incorrect. Rifampin is a known inducer of hepatic enzymes, which can accelerate the metabolism of oral contraceptives and reduce their effectiveness. Clients taking rifampin should be informed about the potential for decreased contraceptive efficacy and advised to use additional or alternative methods of contraception during treatment.

A) "Take a daily potassium supplement."
Captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, can lead to hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) by decreasing the excretion of potassium. Supplementing potassium without medical supervision can exacerbate this effect and potentially cause life-threatening hyperkalemia. Patients should be monitored for potassium levels and should not take potassium supplements unless directed by their healthcare provider.

B) "Increase the amount of sodium in your diet."
Increasing sodium intake is generally contraindicated in patients taking captopril, especially those with hypertension or heart failure, as it can counteract the drug's antihypertensive effects. A lower sodium intake is often recommended to help control blood pressure more effectively.

C) "Exercise caution when changing positions."
Captopril can cause orthostatic hypotension, a condition where blood pressure drops significantly when a person stands up quickly, leading to dizziness, lightheadedness, and an increased risk of falls. Advising the patient to rise slowly from sitting or lying positions helps prevent these symptoms and ensures safety.

D) "Monitor your pulse rate before taking medication."
While monitoring the pulse can be important for patients on certain cardiovascular medications like beta-blockers, it is not typically necessary for patients taking captopril. The primary concerns with captopril are its effects on blood pressure and renal function rather than the pulse rate.