ACE Inhibitors: Safe Administration and Monitoring

ACE inhibitors are among the most frequently administered cardiovascular medications, and most of the harm associated with them is preventable at the point of administration. What the drug does, what to check before each dose, how to tell a therapeutic response from an emergency, and what to report. By the end you should be able to: - Explain how ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure and why that same action causes cough, high potassium and changes in kidney results. - Complete focused pre-administration checks and apply the parameters written in the patient's order. - Distinguish a therapeutic response from a common concern, an urgent concern and an airway emergency. - Teach a patient what to take, what to watch for and when to seek emergency care. - Report findings with objective patient data and escalate airway swelling immediately.