A nurse is preparing to administer an ACE inhibitor to a client with congestive heart failure. Which of the following is the primary adverse effect of ACE inhibitors in this client population?

A. Hypokalemia: ACE inhibitors more commonly cause potassium retention rather than potassium loss, so hypokalemia is not the primary adverse effect. B. Persistent cough: ACE inhibitors commonly cause a persistent, dry cough due to accumulation of bradykinin - this is the primary and well-known adverse effect in this class. C. Hypernatremia: ACE inhibitors do not typically cause elevated sodium; they more often reduce aldosterone-mediated sodium retention, so hypernatremia is not expected. D. Neutropenia: Severe neutropenia is a rare adverse effect (more classically associated with captopril), but it is not the primary or most common adverse effect.