Question

A nurse is about to administer the first dose of captopril (Capoten) to a client with hypertension. Which is the priority nursing intervention?

a. Take the client's apical pulse for 1 full minute before drug administration.
b. Place the client in Trendelenburg position to facilitate blood flow to the heart.
c. Educate the client to sit on the side of the bed for a few minutes before rising.
d. Instruct the client to drink 3 L of fluid daily when taking this medication.

Answer 1

The priority nursing intervention is taking the client's apical pulse for 1 full minute before drug administration. Captopril is an ACE inhibitor that can cause a decrease in heart rate, so it is important to assess the client's heart rate prior to administration.

Step-by-step explanation:

The priority nursing intervention is a. Take the client's apical pulse for 1 full minute before drug administration. Captopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, and one common side effect is a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. Therefore, it is important for the nurse to assess the client's heart rate before administering the medication. By taking the apical pulse for 1 full minute, the nurse can accurately assess the client's heart rate and detect any bradycardia (slow heart rate) that may require intervention.