A nurse instructs a patient taking a medication that inhibits the action of monoamine oxidase (MAO) to avoid certain foods and drugs because of the risk of
A) hypotensive shock.
B) hypertensive crisis.
C) cardiac dysrhythmia.
D) cardiogenic shock.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Patients taking MAO-inhibiting drugs must be on a tyramine-free diet to prevent hypertensive crisis. In the presence of MAOIs, tyramine is not destroyed by the liver and in high levels produces intense vasoconstriction, resulting in elevated blood pressure.

A Nurse Instructs a Patient Taking a Medication That Inhibits