A 26-year-old female prescribed Axert (almotriptan) for use with migraine headache attacks, calls the nurse, stating, "I took a home pregnancy test last week and I know I'm pregnant but I haven't seen the doctor yet. I have a terrible migraine starting and I don't know what I should do." Which of the following statements by the nurse is best?
A) "When was your last menstrual cycle?"
B) "It is usually safe to take medications early in a pregnancy."
C) "What other migraine treatments have worked in the past?"
D) "You should not take Axert if you think you are pregnant."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Almotriptan (Axert) is classified as a pregnancy category C medication, which means that there is potential risk to the fetus if taken during pregnancy. Therefore, the nurse should advise the patient not to take Axert if she thinks she is pregnant until she can speak with her healthcare provider. The nurse should also encourage the patient to schedule an appointment with her healthcare provider as soon as possible to discuss her pregnancy and treatment options for her migraines.

A 26-Year-Old Female Prescribed Axert (Almotriptan) for Use with Migraine