A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has hypertension and a new prescription for captopril. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide?

A. Do not use salt substitutes while taking this medication: Captopril is an ACE inhibitor, which can increase potassium levels in the blood. Salt substitutes often contain potassium, and using them while on captopril can increase the risk of hyperkalemia, which can be dangerous. B. Take the medication with food: Captopril is more effective when taken on an empty stomach, as food can interfere with its absorption. The nurse should instruct the client to take it 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. C. Count your pulse rate before taking the medication: Counting the pulse rate is typically important for medications like beta-blockers, but not for captopril. Captopril does not directly affect heart rate, so this instruction is unnecessary unless specified by the healthcare provider. D. Expect to gain weight while taking this medication: Weight gain is not a common side effect of captopril. While some medications may cause fluid retention, captopril is more likely to cause symptoms like dizziness or a persistent dry cough. Weight gain is not expected.