An outpatient who has heart failure returns to the clinic after 2 weeks of therapy with an ACE inhibitor. Which of these assessment findings is most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider?
A)Pulse rate of 56
B)2+ pedal edema
C)BP of 88/42 mm Hg
D)Complaints of fatigue

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The client's BP indicates that the dose of the ACE inhibitor may need to be decreased because of hypotension. Bradycardia is a frequent adverse effect of ?-adrenergic blockade, but the rate of 56 is not unusual with ?-blocker therapy. ?-adrenergic blockade initially will worsen symptoms of heart failure in many clients, and clients should be taught that some increase in symptoms, such as fatigue and edema, is expected during the initiation of therapy with this class of drugs.

An Outpatient Who Has Heart Failure Returns to the Clinic