Final answer:
The priority nursing intervention for a patient starting on the antihypertensive medication enalapril (Vasotec) is to take the patient's blood pressure to assess the effect of the medication and ensure patient safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the best nursing intervention for a patient who has just begun taking the antihypertensive medication enalapril (Vasotec), an ACE inhibitor. The priority nursing intervention for a patient starting on enalapril would be to take the patient's blood pressure. Monitoring blood pressure is essential when initiating antihypertensive therapy to assess the medication's effectiveness and ensure the patient's blood pressure does not drop too low, which could lead to adverse effects such as dizziness or fainting. Other interventions, such as monitoring for headaches, reviewing lab results - especially for possible electrolyte imbalances like hyperkalemia (not hypokalemia, as enalapril can raise potassium levels), and ordering a sodium-restricted diet can be considered as part of holistic patient management, but the immediate priority is to monitor blood pressure after initiation of treatment.