Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago

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What labs should you check before giving an ACE inhibitor like lisinopril?

Before giving ACE inhibitors (like lisinopril), nurses should monitor:

• Potassium levels – ACE inhibitors can cause hyperkalemia
• BUN and Creatinine – to assess kidney function
• Watch for side effects like a persistent dry cough or angioedema, which can signal a medical emergency due to airway swelling.

These meds lower blood pressure, but the real danger is missing the early signs of serious side effects.

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