Final answer:
The medical assistant should instruct the patient to report coughing or difficulty breathing when taking lisinopril immediately, as these can be signs of a serious reaction like angioedema or an asthma attack, both of which are medical emergencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Important Side Effects of Lisinopril
A medical assistant should instruct a patient who is starting lisinopril to report certain side effects to their healthcare provider immediately. Among the side effects listed—coughing or difficulty breathing, headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting—the one that should be reported immediately is coughing or difficulty breathing. These symptoms can be indicative of a serious reaction such as angioedema, which is a well-documented side effect of ACE inhibitors like lisinopril, or they may indicate an asthma attack. Both are considered medical emergencies that require prompt attention.
Lisinopril is part of a class of drugs known as ACE inhibitors, which include benazepril, captopril, enalapril, and others. While these medications are effective in treating hypertension and heart failure, they can cause side effects that may range from mild to severe. A persistent cough is a common side effect and should be reported to a healthcare provider. However, difficulty breathing or symptoms such as swelling of the throat or lips, a severe drop in blood pressure, dizziness, lightheadedness, or loss of consciousness indicate a more urgent condition, such as anaphylaxis or angioedema, which requires immediate medical attention.