Question

the registered nurse (rn) reviews the new prescription, phenelzine, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (maoi), for a client on the psychiatric unit with depression. which information is most important for the rn to assess?
a complaints of nausea or vomiting.
b blood pressure and pulse prior to taking each dose.
c therapeutic serum drug levels.
d consumption of any alcohol or tyramine - rich foods.

Explanation:

Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). MAOIs interact with tyramine - rich foods (and alcohol) to cause a hypertensive crisis. Nausea/vomiting (A) is not the most critical. Blood pressure/pulse (B) monitoring is important but not the most crucial pre - assessment related to MAOI - specific risks. Therapeutic serum levels (C) are not typically monitored for phenelzine in the same way as some other drugs. The most important assessment is about consumption of alcohol or tyramine - rich foods (D) to prevent a life - threatening hypertensive crisis.

Answer:

D. Consumption of any alcohol or tyramine - rich foods.