C H A P T E R 4 0
Drugs affecting the female reproductive system
625
C H E C K Y O U R U N D E R S T A N D I N G
Answers to the questions in this chapter can be found in
Appendix A in the back of this book.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Select the best answer to the following.
1.
A postmenopausal woman is to receive short-
term hormonal replacement therapy to control her
menopausal symptoms. Which of the following
would the nurse include when teaching the woman
about possible adverse effects of this therapy?
a.
constipation
b.
breakthrough bleeding
c.
weight loss
d.
persistently elevated body temperature
2.
An oestrogen receptor modulator might be the
drug of choice in the treatment of postmenopausal
osteoporosis in a woman with a family history of
breast or uterine cancer. The nurse would instruct
the woman that she might experience which of the
following?
a.
constipation and dry, itchy skin
b.
flushing and dry vaginal mucosa
c.
hot flushes and vaginal bleeding
d.
diarrhoea and weight loss
3.
Combination oestrogens and progestins are
commonly used as oral contraceptives. It is thought
that this combination has its effect by:
a.
acting to block the release of FSH and LH,
preventing follicle development.
b.
directly suppressing the ovaries and preventing
ovulation.
c.
keeping the endometrium constantly lush and
blood filled.
d.
preventing menstruation, which prevents
pregnancy.
4.
Any person who is taking oestrogens, progestins or
combination products should be cautioned to avoid
smoking because:
a.
nicotine increases the metabolism of the
hormones, making them less effective.
b.
the risk for potentially dangerous
thromboembolic episodes increases.
c.
nicotine amplifies the adverse effects of the
hormones.
d.
nicotine blocks hormone receptor sites, and they
may no longer be effective.
5.
Oxytocin, a synthetic form of the hypothalamic
hormone, is used to:
a.
induce labour by stimulating uterine contraction.
b.
stimulate milk production in the breastfeeding
woman.
c.
increase fertility and the chance of conception.
d.
relax the gravid uterus to prevent preterm labour.
6.
The use of a prostaglandin drug is contraindicated
in a woman:
a.
who is 15 weeks pregnant.
b.
who is older than 50 years of age.
c.
who has a history of four previous caesarean
births.
d.
who is 10 weeks pregnant.
7.
A young woman chooses oral contraceptives because
she feels that it is not the right time for her to get
pregnant. You would evaluate her teaching about
the drug to be effective if she tells you which of the
following?
a.
“I shouldn’t smoke for the first month to make
sure I don’t react severely to the pills.”
b.
“If I forget to take a pill, I’ll just start over the
next day with a new series of pills.”
c.
“I may not be able to wear my contact lenses
while taking these pills, or I might have to be
fitted for a new pair.”
d.
“If I have to take an antibiotic while I am using
these pills, I should take double pills on those
days that I am using the antibiotic.”
Neves-e-Castro, M. (2003). Menopause in crisis post-Women’s
Health Initiative? A view based on personal clinical experience.
Human Reproduction, 18
, 2512–2518.
Parke, A. & Abernethy, K. (2008). Hormone replacement therapy:
Risks and benefits.
Nurse Prescribing, 6(10)
, 433–439.
Porth, C. M. (2011).
Essentials of Pathophysiology: Concepts
of Altered Health States
(3rd edn). Philadelphia: Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins.
Porth, C. M. (2009).
Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health
States
(8th edn). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Robinson, G. (2012). Oral contraception for women: A brief
overview.
Nurse Prescribing, 10(3)
, 124–145.
U.S. Preventative Services Task Force. (2002). Post-menopausal
hormone replacement therapy to prevent chronic conditions:
Recommendations.
Annals of Internal Medicine, 127
, 1–4.
