Captopril has been ordered for a patient. The nurse should teach the patient that the most commonly occurring side effect of an angiotensin-converting enzyme drug is which of the following?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Dry cough. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors like captopril can cause a dry, persistent cough due to accumulation of bradykinin. This side effect occurs in up to 20% of patients taking ACE inhibitors. Nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness are less commonly associated with ACE inhibitors. It is important for the nurse to educate the patient about this potential side effect as it can be bothersome but usually not dangerous. A dry cough can indicate the need to discontinue the medication and consult a healthcare provider.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is responsible for regulating pituitary hormones through the release of various hormones that control the pituitary gland. It also plays a crucial role in regulating the body's temperature through thermoregulation. The thalamus (A) is involved in relaying sensory information, the cerebellum (B) is primarily responsible for motor coordination, and the limbic system (C) is associated with emotions and memory. Therefore, the hypothalamus is the only choice that directly relates to regulating pituitary hormones and body temperature.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because acetaminophen is primarily metabolized in the liver. Patients with a history of liver disease may have impaired liver function, leading to decreased metabolism of acetaminophen and potential toxicity. Fever and headache are common indications for acetaminophen use and do not necessarily contraindicate its use. Peptic ulcer disease is not a contraindication for acetaminophen as it does not directly affect the gastrointestinal system.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Captopril is not a prodrug and does not need to be metabolized by the liver before becoming active. Rationale: 1. In severe liver disease, the liver's ability to metabolize drugs can be compromised. 2. Captopril is not a prodrug, meaning it does not require liver metabolism to become active. 3. This characteristic of captopril is advantageous in liver disease as it avoids potential issues related to impaired liver metabolism. Summary: A: Captopril can cause first-dose hypotensive effects, so it is not the advantage for a patient with severe liver disease. B: Captopril can affect electrolyte levels, so it is not the advantage for a patient with severe liver disease. C: Captopril being a prodrug and requiring liver metabolism would be a disadvantage for a patient with severe liver disease.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because when administering heparin subcutaneously, using a - to -inch 25- to 28-gauge needle is appropriate to ensure proper delivery into the subcutaneous tissue. This needle size is suitable for subcutaneous injections and helps prevent complications such as leakage or irritation. As for the other choices: A: Aspirating the syringe before injecting the medication is not necessary for subcutaneous injections as it is commonly done for intramuscular injections to ensure proper needle placement. B: Massaging the site after injection is not recommended as it can cause bruising or discomfort. C: Applying heat to the injection site is not a standard procedure for subcutaneous injections and may not provide any benefit in this context.