What should be monitored when a patient is on ACE inhibitors?

When a patient is on ACE inhibitors, monitoring potassium levels is crucial. ACE inhibitors can lead to increased potassium retention due to their mechanism of action, which inhibits the angiotensin-converting enzyme and subsequently reduces the production of aldosterone. Aldosterone promotes the excretion of potassium, so when its levels decrease, the body may retain more potassium, leading to hyperkalemia.

Patients taking these medications should have their potassium levels checked regularly to avoid complications associated with elevated potassium, such as cardiac arrhythmias. While calcium, sodium, and magnesium levels are important to monitor in various clinical scenarios, they are not directly affected by ACE inhibitors in the same way that potassium is. Therefore, potassium monitoring is a specific concern when managing patients on ACE inhibitors.