A nurse is educating a client who has been prescribed phenelzine, an MAOI, for treatment-resistant depression. Which of the following instructions is most critical to prevent potentially life-threatening complications associated with this medication?
Avoid foods high in tyramine, such as aged cheeses, smoked meats, and fermented products.
Use over-the-counter cold medications containing pseudoephedrine cautiously.
Take the medication with food to minimize gastrointestinal upset.
Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until the effects are known.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: The most critical teaching with MAOIs is to avoid foods containing tyramine. Eating these foods can trigger a hypertensive crisis, a potentially fatal complication.
Choice B reason: Cold medications with pseudoephedrine may also increase blood pressure and should be avoided, but dietary restrictions are more essential because food exposure is more common and life-threatening if overlooked.
Choice C reason: Taking the medication with food may reduce mild gastrointestinal side effects, but this is not the priority safety teaching.
Choice D reason: Avoiding hazardous activities until medication effects are known is general advice for many psychotropic drugs, but it is not specific or lifesaving for MAOI therapy.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: This response acknowledges the client’s experience without reinforcing the hallucination. It demonstrates empathy, maintains reality orientation, and builds trust, which are crucial therapeutic approaches.
Choice B reason: Challenging hallucinations with logic is not effective and can increase client defensiveness or distress. It may also escalate paranoia rather than reduce it.
Choice C reason: Avoiding the client ignores their distress and can increase isolation. Engagement is necessary to provide reassurance and therapeutic support.
Choice D reason: Directly denying the hallucination can invalidate the client’s experience, leading to mistrust and further paranoia. A more supportive acknowledgment is preferred.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: While it is true that untreated suicidal depression can be fatal, this response is confrontational and increases fear without addressing the spouse’s concern.
Choice B reason: Assuring the spouse that the client will not feel anything oversimplifies ECT. Though anesthesia prevents pain, this statement dismisses the spouse’s fears and does not encourage discussion.
Choice C reason: While medications do take weeks to be effective, simply giving this fact does not address the emotional concerns and fears about ECT being “cruel.”
Choice D reason: This response acknowledges the seriousness of the illness, explains why ECT may be necessary, and opens dialogue by inviting the spouse to share concerns. It is therapeutic, informative, and supportive, making it the best choice.
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