A patient with heart failure tells the nurse that she is "allergic" to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)inhibitors because they make her cough "all of the time." What does this information suggest to the nurse?
A)The patient should not take an angiotensin receptor blocker because of the ACE inhibitor allergy.
B)The patient's asthma has been exacerbated by the use of ACE inhibitors.
C)The patient experienced a side effect of the ACE inhibitor,which is a cough.
D)The patient's cough is due to long-standing heart failure.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

ACE inhibitors are known to cause a persistent cough as a side effect, commonly due to an increase in bradykinin levels. This is not an allergic reaction, but a known side effect. The patient may benefit from switching to an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), which does not have the same cough side effect. This information does not suggest anything about exacerbation of asthma or the etiology of the patient's heart failure.

A Patient with Heart Failure Tells the Nurse That She