Question

A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has hypertension and a NEW prescription for verapamil. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

a. Increase dietary intake of potassium.

b. Change positions slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension.

c. Consume grapefruit juice in moderation.

d. Take the medication on an empty stomach.

Answer 1

For a client with hypertension and a new verapamil prescription, the nurse should instruct the patient to change positions slowly to mitigate the risk of orthostatic hypotension.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct information for a client who has hypertension and a new prescription for verapamil is: b. Change positions slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension.

When teaching a patient about using verapamil, it is important to inform them about the risk of orthostatic hypotension, which can result from the vasodilatory effects of the medication. Instructing the patient to change positions slowly helps minimize the risk of dizziness or fainting that can occur with sudden changes in posture due to a drop in blood pressure. Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker, which can potentially cause fluid retention and subsequently impact blood volume, leading to orthostatic hypotension.

Increasing dietary intake of potassium is generally not required with verapamil nor is it related to the risk of orthostatic hypotension directly. In addition, patients should avoid grapefruit juice while taking verapamil, as it can lead to increased drug levels and enhanced effects. Taking the medication on an empty stomach is not specific advice for verapamil as it does not greatly affect the absorption or efficacy of this particular medication.