Female Hormone Key Concepts

Question 1

What is a common type of medications that can interfere with and render oral
contraception ineffective? (drug-drug interaction)

Answer 1

ANTIBIOTICS! They need to use a back up barrier method for the duration of that pack and the next pack to be safe.

Question 2

What active ingredient or hormone is found in injectable birth control? How often does
this form of birth control need to be repeated? What is the common name of this medication?

Answer 2

Medroxyprogesterone (Depoprovera ®)

Repeated every 3 months

Question 3

What is a medication that selectively blocks or antagonizes estrogen receptors to help prevent a recurrence of breast carcinoma?

Answer 3

tamoxifen used for approximately 5 years after estrogen receptor positive (ERP) breast cancer. Some women take it longer. VERY common drug for this.

Question 4

What is osteoporosis?

Answer 4

Demineralization of the bone caused by excessive breakdown without full replacement. Results in “brittle” bones that are high risk for fractures. More common in post-menopausal women.

Question 5

What medications specifically help osteoporosis?

Answer 5

bisphosphonates or “dronate” family
are the primary drugs used to treat this because they are similar to natural phosphate.

Question 6

What are the nursing considerations for bisphosphonates? List examples so you can recognize the medications by GENERIC name.

Answer 6

alendronate, etidronate, etc. Take with a full glass of water on an empty stomach 30 minutes before meals and remain upright until after the meal. (Reduce risk of esophageal erosion)

Question 7

What are the adverse drug reactions for bisphosphonates?

Answer 7

Severe esophagitis, osteonecrosis of the jaw (do not take prior to oral surgery procedures usually for weeks or even months), some research shows that after prolonged use (greater than 5 years) there is an increased risk of femur fracture.

Question 8

What are the nursing interventions to prevent the side effects of bisphosphonates?

Answer 8

REMAIN UPRIGHT AFTER TAKING, TAKE ON EMPTY STOMACH WITH A
FULL GLASS OF WATER!

Question 9

What is the route of administration for calcitonin-salmon (Miacalcin)?

Answer 9

Intranasal. Use alternating nostrils and the cross-chest approach.

Question 10

What allergy do you need to assess for if a patient is on calcitonin-salmon (myacalcin)?

Answer 10

Salmon

Question 11

What are some non-pharmacological interventions for osteoporosis?

Answer 11

Increased dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D, weight baring exercises like walking.

Question 12

What would be an example of a medication previously learned that would be contraindicated in pregnancy because of it can induce a spontaneous miscarriage (side
effect)?

Answer 12

Misoprostol

Question 13

Can misoprostol be used if termination of pregnancy (either abortion OR
full-term pregnancy to ripen the cervix) is the goal, making it the outcome the “intended
therapeutic effect”?

Answer 13

Yes!

Question 14

What are tocolytic medications?

Answer 14

Medications that stop uterine contractions. Example:
terbutaline (safe for short term use) and magnesium sulfate

Question 15

What is an antidote for a tocolytic medication?

Answer 15

propranolol (beta blocker) for terbutaline

calcium chloride for magnesium sulfate

Question 16

What is an example of an oxytocic medication?

Answer 16

oxytocin (Pitocin) stimulates
contractions and augments labor or uterine contraction to control bleeding post delivery.

Question 17

What is an antidote for oxytocic medications?

Answer 17

terbutaline

Question 18

What is the rationale for using dexamethasone in pre-term labor (weeks 24+)?

Answer 18

Accelerates fetal lung development in case they are born prematurely.

Question 19

What are two common medications given to all newborns within 1 hour of delivery?

Answer 19

Vitamin K to help promote the ability to clot blood and erythromycin to help
prevent fetal blindness from microorganisms (especially gonorrhea) that may enter the eyes during delivery.