Nokea
The nurse is caring for a patient with persistent menorrhagia. Which of the following parameters should the nurse monitor?
- A. Estrogen level
- B. Complete blood count (CBC)
- C. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) level
- D. Serial β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) results
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Because anemia is a likely complication of menorrhagia, the nurse will need to check the CBC. Estrogen and GnRH levels are checked for patients with other problems, such as infertility. Serial β-hCG levels are monitored in patients who may be pregnant, which is not likely for this patient.
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Which of the following information should the nurse include when developing a teaching plan for a patient who is premenopausal with symptoms of uterine bleeding caused by a leiomyoma?
- A. Aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be used to control mild to moderate pain.
- B. The tumour size is likely to increase throughout the patient's lifetime.
- C. The symptoms may decrease after the patient undergoes menopause.
- D. The patient will need frequent monitoring to detect any malignant changes.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Leiomyomas appear to depend on ovarian hormones and will atrophy after menopause, leading to a decrease in symptoms. Aspirin use is discouraged because the antiplatelet effects may lead to heavier uterine bleeding. The size of the tumour will shrink after menopause. Leiomyomas are benign tumours that do not undergo malignant changes.
The nurse is counselling a healthy perimenopausal woman who prefers not to use hormone therapy (HT). Which of the following treatment options should the nurse discuss with the patient? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Reduce coffee intake.
- B. Exercise several times a week.
- C. Take black cohosh supplements.
- D. Have a glass of wine in the evening.
- E. Increase intake of dietary soy products.
Correct Answer: A,B,C,E
Rationale: Reduction in caffeine intake, use of black cohosh, increasing dietary soy intake, and exercising three to four times weekly are recommended to reduce symptoms associated with menopause. Alcohol intake in the evening may increase the sleep problems associated with menopause.
Which of the following information should the nurse include when teaching a 51-year-old female patient who is considering the use of combined estrogen-progesterone hormone therapy (HT) during menopause?
- A. Use of estrogen-containing vaginal creams provides most of the same benefits as oral HT.
- B. Use of HT for up to 10 years to prevent symptoms such as hot flashes is generally considered safe.
- C. HT decreases osteoporosis risk and increases the risk for cardiovascular disease and breast cancer.
- D. Increased incidence of colon cancer in women taking HT requires frequent stool assessment for occult blood.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Data from the Women's Health Initiative indicate an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and breast cancer in women taking combination HT but a decrease in hip fractures. Vaginal creams decrease symptoms related to vaginal atrophy and dryness, but they do not offer the other benefits of HT, such as decreased hot flashes. Most women who use HT are placed on short-term treatment and are not treated for up to 10 years. The incidence of colon cancer decreases in women taking HT.
The nurse is caring for a patient with endometriosis who is treated with medroxyprogesterone. Which of the following information related to this therapy should the nurse explain to the patient?
- A. Suppresses the menstrual cycle by mimicking pregnancy.
- B. May cause symptoms such as vaginal atrophy and hot flashes.
- C. Is associated with loss of bone density and increased fracture risk.
- D. Will lead to permanent suppression of abnormal endometrial tissues.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Depo-Provera induces a pseudopregnancy, which suppresses ovulation and causes shrinkage of endometrial tissue. Vaginal atrophy and hot flashes are caused by synthetic androgens such as danazol or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH) such as leuprolide. Although hormonal therapies will control endometriosis while the therapy is used, endometriosis will recur once the menstrual cycle is reestablished. Depo-Provera use is not associated with bone loss.
A patient who is 45 years of age tells the nurse that she has not had a menstrual period for 3 months and asks whether she is going into menopause. Which of the following responses is best by the nurse?
- A. Have you thought about using hormone therapy?
- B. Most women feel a little depressed about entering menopause
- C. What was your menstrual pattern before your periods stopped?
- D. Since you are in your mid-40s, it is likely that you are menopausal.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The initial response by the nurse should be to assess the patient's baseline menstrual pattern. Although many women do enter menopause in the mid-40s, more information about this patient is needed before telling her that it is likely she is menopausal. Although hormone therapy (HT) may be prescribed, further assessment of the patient is needed before discussing therapies for menopause. Because the response to menopause is very individual, the nurse should not assume that the patient is experiencing any adverse emotional reactions.