The nurse is caring for a patient who has a venous leg ulcer. The patient asks why these ulcers occur. What will the nurse explain as the cause for the development of venous ulcers?

A. Let your provider know if a new cough occurs:
This teaching is essential because lisinopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, is associated with a potential side effect of a persistent, dry cough. Notifying the healthcare provider if a new cough develops allows for appropriate management, such as discontinuation or adjustment of the medication to alleviate the symptom.

B. Take the medication on a full stomach:
Taking lisinopril with or without food is acceptable, as it does not significantly affect its absorption. However, taking it on an empty stomach is often recommended to optimize absorption. Advising the patient to take the medication on a full stomach is incorrect and may lead to misunderstandings.

C. This medication will not cause edema:
Lisinopril, as an ACE inhibitor, may actually cause or exacerbate edema as a side effect. It can lead to vasodilation and fluid retention, particularly in susceptible individuals. Providing incorrect information about the medication's potential side effects can compromise patient understanding and safety.

D. Eat a high potassium diet:
Lisinopril can increase serum potassium levels, so instructing the patient to consume a high-potassium diet may exacerbate this effect and lead to hyperkalemia. While dietary potassium intake should be monitored, advising a high-potassium diet without proper guidance can pose risks to the patient's health.

A. Encourage the patient and family to manage the patient's activity level and activities of daily living effectively: While managing activity levels and daily living tasks is important for overall health and well-being, this action alone may not directly address feelings of isolation experienced by the patient. Encouraging social support and addressing emotional needs are also vital aspects of care for someone with HIV.

B. Encourage the patient to express feelings of isolation and loneliness, with the assurance that these feelings are not unique or abnormal: Patients with HIV often experience feelings of isolation and loneliness due to stigma, fear of rejection, or loss of social support. Encouraging the patient to openly express these feelings can help them feel validated and understood. Assuring them that such feelings are common among individuals with HIV can help reduce their sense of isolation and promote emotional well-being.

C. Encourage the patient and family to be active partners in the management of immunodeficiency: While involving the patient and family in the management of HIV is essential, this action primarily focuses on medical management rather than addressing the psychosocial aspect of isolation. Collaborative care is important, but addressing emotional needs should also be prioritized.

D. Make sure that the patient and family know how to adjust dosages of the medications used in treatment: While medication adherence is crucial in managing HIV, ensuring proper dosage adjustments is primarily a clinical aspect of care. While important, this action alone may not directly address the patient's feelings of isolation.