A nurse is monitoring a client in a cardiac care unit. Exhibits A nurse is educating a client on the mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors, such as Lisinopril. Which of the following statements about ACE inhibitors mechanism of action and their therapeutic effects is accurate?

The therapeutic effect of ACE inhibitors is unrelated to their mechanism of action: This is inaccurate because the therapeutic effects, including vasodilation and lowered blood pressure, are directly linked to ACE inhibition. Understanding the mechanism of action helps anticipate potential side effects of ACE inhibitors: Knowing that ACE inhibitors reduce angiotensin II and aldosterone helps the nurse anticipate side effects such as hypotension, hyperkalemia, and persistent cough. ACE inhibitors work by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme, leading to vasodilation: This directly explains the mechanism, resulting in decreased blood pressure and reduced afterload, which are the therapeutic goals in hypertension and heart failure management. All medications within the ACE inhibitor class have identical therapeutic effects: While similar, individual ACE inhibitors differ in duration of action, metabolism, and dosing, so effects are not identical across the class.