A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a patient who has hypertension and a new prescription for verapamil. The nurse should instruct the patient to avoid taking this medication with which of the following foods?
Correct Answer:
Grapefruit
Rationale:
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with verapamil by increasing its levels in the bloodstream. This happens because grapefruit inhibits certain enzymes in the liver that are responsible for metabolizing the medication. Elevated levels of verapamil can lead to an increased risk of side effects, such as low blood pressure, dizziness, or an irregular heartbeat.
