Question

A client with newly diagnosed hypertension is prescribed valsartan. The nurse provides instruction about the medication. Which should the nurse include in the teaching about this medication?

A. "If you feel dizzy while taking the medication, skip one dose."
B. "Make sure you eat bananas or drink orange juice every day."
C. "Use a reliable method of birth control while on this medication."
D. "Drink lots of fluids to get rid of the annoying cough."

Answer 1

The nurse should instruct the client to use a reliable method of birth control while taking valsartan for hypertension. It's important not to skip doses due to dizziness and there is no specific need to increase intake of bananas or orange juice, nor to drink lots of fluids to counteract a medication-induced cough.

Step-by-step explanation:

Regarding a client with newly diagnosed hypertension who has been prescribed valsartan, the correct teaching strategy would be option C: "Use a reliable method of birth control while on this medication." Valsartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) which is used for treating high blood pressure and can have potential effects on a fetus, therefore it's important to use effective contraception while taking this medication.

Option A is incorrect because even if a patient feels dizzy while taking the medication, they should not skip a dose without consulting their healthcare provider. Instead, they should sit or lie down until the dizziness passes and contact their doctor if dizziness persists. Option B is misleading as there is no general mandate to eat bananas or drink orange juice every day for hypertensive patients on valsartan, though a well-balanced diet is beneficial. Lastly, option D is incorrect because drinking lots of fluids is not a remedy for cough related to medication, and valsartan does not usually cause a cough; that's more commonly associated with ACE inhibitors.