Chapter 63: Drug Therapy of Infertility
A patient is being treated for infertility. An examination reveals cervical mucus that is scant, thick, and sticky. The nurse suspects that the patient has been taking which medication? a. Clomiphene [Clomid] b. Estrogen c. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) d. Progesterone
A
An infertile couple begins treatment with menotropins. To enhance the therapeutic effects of the medication, the nurse will advise the patients to have intercourse: a. before hCG injection and the following 2 to 3 days. b. the morning of the hCG injection and later that evening. c. the evening of the injection and the following day. d. the evening of the injection and the following morning.
A
An infertile patient has received two 5-day courses of clomiphene [Clomid] to help her conceive. An ultrasound 1 week after the last dose reveals that follicular maturation has occurred without ovulation. The nurse expects the next step for this patient to be: a. administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). b. an order for cabergoline to be given twice weekly. c. evaluation of ovarian and pituitary function. d. repeating clomiphene once daily for 5 days.
A
A nurse is explaining to a nursing student how clomiphene [Clomid] works to improve fertility. Which statement by the student indicates a need for further teaching? a. "Clomiphene blocks estrogen receptors to cause increased secretion of gonadotropins." b. "Clomiphene directly stimulates the ovary, causing follicular maturation and ovulation." c. "If follicular maturation is the only result of clomiphene therapy, human chorionic gonadotropin may be given." d. "If the pituitary gland cannot produce LH and FSH, clomiphene will not be effective."
B
A patient receives an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin after follicular maturation has been induced with another agent. The patient comes to the clinic 2 days later complaining of headache, irritability, and fatigue. What will the nurse do? a. Perform a urine pregnancy test. b. Reassure the patient that these are known adverse effects. c. Request an order for a serum estrogen level. d. Review the patient's abdominal ultrasound.
B
A patient receiving menotropins [Repronex] for infertility comes to the clinic for evaluation on the ninth day of treatment. Her serum estrogen level is 200 pg/mL per maturing follicle. An ultrasound reveals that follicles have enlarged to 22 mm. The patient complains of left lower abdominal pain. What will the nurse do? a. Administer human chorionic gonadotropin, because the ovary has ripened. b. Assess for abdominal fullness and distension and auscultate lung sounds. c. Inform the patient that the pain is associated with ovulation. d. Recommend ibuprofen for pain and administer the next dose of menotropins.
B
A patient with endometriosis is being treated with the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist leuprolide [Lupron Depot]. A nurse is teaching the patient about the drug. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching? a. "I can continue to take the medication if I get pregnant." b. "I can expect the medication to cure my symptoms." c. "I may have menopausal-like symptoms when taking this medication." d. "I will need to take the medication for several years."
C
The nurse counseling a couple who cannot conceive learns that female infertility problems have been ruled out. What will the nurse expect to tell this couple? a. "If medication is necessary for male infertility, treatment will last a few months." b. "Male infertility is usually treatable with a combination of medications." c. "Most male infertility is not linked to known endocrine disorders." d. "Treatment with sildenafil [Viagra] will be necessary to improve fertility."
C
A patient who has endometriosis has been unable to conceive. She asks the nurse about medications to treat the condition. What will the nurse tell the patient? a. Combination oral contraceptives are effective for improving fertility. b. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists are used for long-term treatment. c. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are second-line agents for treating pain. d. Pharmacologic agents used to treat endometriosis do not enhance fertility.
D
A patient with infertility will begin taking menotropins [Repronex]. The nurse will evaluate this patient's history to determine whether the: a. patient has a history of hyperinsulinemia. b. patient has excessive prolactin secretion. c. patient's pituitary can produce LH and FSH. d. patient's ovaries are capable of responding to gonadotropins.
D
A patient with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) asks the nurse what she can do to improve her chances of getting pregnant. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching? a. "Clomiphene will help induce ovulation but will not treat the other symptoms of polycystic ovarian disease." b. "If I lose weight, my infertility and irregular periods could resolve without medications." c. "Metformin improves insulin sensitivity and reduces male hormone levels." d. "Spironolactone, which reduces androgens and facial hair, is helpful if I'm trying to conceive."
D