The sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems are continuously at work in our bodies. This continual action provides a sense of balance to all parts of the body. What is the term used to represent this sense of balance?

A) Take this medication with food:
Captopril is an ACE inhibitor, known to work best on an empty stomach. Food can reduce its absorption, impacting its effectiveness. Thus, while clients can take captopril with or without food, it's generally recommended to take it on an empty stomach for optimal results.

B) Monitor for a cough:
Captopril, an ACE inhibitor, commonly induces a persistent, dry cough due to the accumulation of bradykinin. This side effect can be bothersome and may necessitate discontinuation of the medication. Therefore, patients should be vigilant for the onset of a cough and promptly report it to their healthcare provider.

C) Avoid bananas:
Although captopril can occasionally lead to hyperkalemia, advising patients to avoid bananas specifically may not be necessary. While bananas are potassium-rich, restricting them alone might not significantly impact potassium levels. However, patients should be educated on monitoring potassium intake and informed of potential dietary modifications if hyperkalemia occurs.

D) Hold medication for heart rate less than 100/min:
Captopril is not known to directly affect heart rate. This instruction may be more applicable to medications like beta-blockers, which can lower heart rate as part of their mechanism of action. Therefore, holding captopril for heart rates below 100/min may not be clinically indicated.

A) Excretion:
This is the correct answer. The kidneys play a crucial role in the excretion of drugs and their metabolites from the body. After drugs undergo metabolism in the liver or other tissues, the resulting metabolites are often water-soluble and can be filtered by the kidneys into the urine. This process helps eliminate drugs and their byproducts from the body, preventing their accumulation and potential toxicity.

B) Absorption:
Absorption refers to the movement of drugs from the site of administration into the bloodstream. While the kidneys do not directly facilitate drug absorption, they may indirectly influence drug absorption by regulating blood flow and systemic circulation.

C) Metabolism:
Metabolism, or biotransformation, involves the enzymatic alteration of drugs into metabolites, which are often more water-soluble and easier to excrete. While the liver is the primary site of drug metabolism, the kidneys do not play a direct role in drug metabolism.

D) Distribution:
Distribution refers to the movement of drugs from the bloodstream to various tissues and organs in the body. While the kidneys do not directly influence drug distribution, changes in renal function can affect drug distribution by altering blood flow and plasma protein binding. However, the primary role of the kidneys in pharmacokinetics is excretion, not distribution.