A patient has been resistant to treatment with antidepressant therapy. The care provider prescribes a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) medication. What teaching is critical for the nurse to give the patient?
A) Serum blood levels must be regularly monitored to assess for toxicity.
B) To prevent side effects, the medication should be administered as an intramuscular injection.
C) Eating foods such as blue cheese or red wine will cause side effects.
D) This medication class may only be used safely for a few days at a time.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

MAOIs have serious food interactions when ingested with tyramine-containing foods such as aged or processed foods. Serum levels are routinely monitored when mood stabilizers such as lithium carbonate are prescribed. It is not necessary to administer this class intramuscularly. This medication takes several weeks to show effectiveness and should not be stopped abruptly; short-term use will not be effective.

A Patient Has Been Resistant to Treatment with Antidepressant Therapy