A patient newly diagnosed with left-sided heart failure is admitted to the hospital. The nurse will observe this patient closely for:

Choice A reason: ARBs do not affect the LDL cholesterol levels. They lower the blood pressure by blocking the action of angiotensin II, which is a hormone that causes vasoconstriction and sodium retention. Statins are the drugs that lower the LDL cholesterol levels.

Choice B reason: ARBs do not cause weight loss of more than 2 pounds/week. They lower the blood pressure by blocking the action of angiotensin II, which is a hormone that causes vasoconstriction and sodium retention. Diuretics are the drugs that cause weight loss by increasing the urine output and reducing the fluid volume.

Choice C reason: ARBs do not increase the urinary output. They lower the blood pressure by blocking the action of angiotensin II, which is a hormone that causes vasoconstriction and sodium retention. Diuretics are the drugs that increase the urinary output by inhibiting the reabsorption of sodium and water in the kidneys.

Choice D reason: ARBs lower the blood pressure by blocking the action of angiotensin II, which is a hormone that causes vasoconstriction and sodium retention. Therefore, a nursing assessment that confirms that the ARB that a patient is taking is effective is a decrease in the blood pressure. This is the correct statement that describes the expected outcome of ARBs.

Choice A reason: This is not the preferred agent for the initial treatment of heart failure. Vasodilators are a class of medications that lower the blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels and reducing the resistance to blood flow. They can be used to treat hypertension, angina, and heart failure, but they are usually added to other medications, such as diuretics or beta blockers, to improve the symptoms and outcomes.

Choice B reason: This is the preferred agent for the initial treatment of heart failure. Diuretics are a class of medications that increase the urine output and reduce the fluid retention in the body. They can be used to treat hypertension, edema, and heart failure, as they reduce the preload and afterload on the heart, and decrease the pulmonary congestion and peripheral edema.

Choice C reason: This is not the preferred agent for the initial treatment of heart failure. Calcium channel blockers are a class of medications that lower the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the calcium channels in the heart and blood vessels, which cause vasodilation and reduced cardiac contractility. They can be used to treat hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias, but they are not recommended for most patients with heart failure, as they may worsen the cardiac function and increase the mortality.

Choice D reason: This is not the preferred agent for the initial treatment of heart failure. Direct renin inhibitors are a class of medications that lower the blood pressure by inhibiting the enzyme renin, which initiates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, a hormonal pathway that regulates the blood pressure and fluid balance. They can be used to treat hypertension, but they have not been proven to be effective or safe for patients with heart failure.