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

A. Take the medication early in the day. – Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic, which increases urine output. Taking it in the morning helps prevent nocturia and sleep disruption. B. Muscle pain is an expected adverse effect. – Muscle pain is not expected. It may indicate electrolyte imbalances like hypokalemia or hyponatremia and should be reported. C. Take the medication on an empty stomach. – Hydrochlorothiazide can be taken with or without food, but taking it with food may help reduce gastrointestinal upset. D. Weigh weekly to monitor therapeutic effect. – Clients should generally weigh themselves daily when on diuretics to detect fluid retention or loss early. Weekly weighing may delay detection of complications.