A patient who has recently begun taking captopril (Capoten) to treat hypertension calls a clinic to report a persistent cough that started right after starting the captopril. The nurse will perform which action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A persistent cough is a common side effect of captopril and other ACE inhibitors. Although it is not a serious side effect, it can be bothersome for the patient. Changing to an ARB may be a reasonable option to manage the patient's hypertension without the cough. Instructing the patient to go to the emergency department or stop taking the drug immediately are not necessary actions in this case. Reassuring the patient that the side effect will diminish over time may be true for some patients, but not all, and should not be the only action taken by the nurse.

A Patient Who Has Recently Begun Taking Captopril (Capoten) to Treat