A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a female client who takes oral contraceptives (OCs).
Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that OCs are having an adverse effect on this client?
Decreased serum glucose level
Increased serum potassium level
Decreased serum triglyceride level
Increased serum protein level
The Correct Answer is B
The correct answer is choice B. Increased serum potassium level. Oral contraceptives can affect the levels of various electrolytes in the blood, such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. According to one study, oral contraceptives can increase the levels of serum copper, iron, calcium and cadmium, and decrease the levels of serum zinc, selenium, phosphorus and magnesium.
Therefore, a high serum potassium level can indicate an adverse effect of oral contraceptives on this client.
Choice A is wrong because oral contraceptives do not decrease serum glucose level. In fact, they can increase the plasma glucose level and insulin response, which can impair glucose tolerance and increase the risk of diabetes.
Choice C is wrong because oral contraceptives do not decrease serum triglyceride level. On the contrary, they can increase the fasting triglyceride level by 13 to 75 percent, which can elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Choice D is wrong because oral contraceptives do not increase serum protein level. They can increase the levels of some apolipoproteins, such as A-I, A-II and B, but these are not the same as total protein.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A.COCs can reduce the risk of endometrial, ovarian and colon cancer.This is because COCs suppress ovulation and reduce inflammation in the genital tract, which may lower the exposure to carcinogens and mutagens.
Choice B is wrong because COCs do not increase bone density or prevent osteoporosis.In fact, some studies have suggested that COCs may have a negative effect on bone mineral density.
Choice C is wrong because COCs do not enhance fertility or improve menstrual regularity.
COCs prevent pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation, which means that they temporarily suppress fertility.COCs may also cause irregular bleeding or amenorrhea in some women.
Choice D is wrong because COCs do not lower blood pressure or cholesterol levels.On the contrary, COCs may increase the risk of hypertension and dyslipidemia in some women, especially those who smoke, are obese, or have a family history of cardiovascular disease.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A.The nurse should tell the client that if she misses one pill, she should take the missed pill as soon as possible and continue with the next pill at the usual time.This will ensure that she maintains a continuous hormonal exposure and does not extend the hormone-free interval beyond 7 days.She does not need to use extra contraception.
Choice B is wrong because taking two pills at once and skipping the next pill will disrupt the hormonal balance and may cause side effects such as nausea or breakthrough bleeding.Choice C is wrong because discarding the missed pill and taking the next pill at the usual time will shorten the duration of hormonal exposure and increase the risk of ovulation.Choice D is wrong because stopping taking the pills for the rest of the cycle and using a backup method of contraception will expose the client to an unnecessary hormone-free interval and may compromise her contraceptive efficacy.
COCs are combined oral contraceptives that contain synthetic estrogen and progestin hormones that prevent ovulation and thicken cervical mucus to inhibit sperm penetration.The normal range of COCs dosage is 20 to 35 micrograms of estrogen and 0.1 to 3 milligrams of progestin per pill.
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