A patient is taking phenelzine and presents to the clinic complaining of "feeling awful." The patient reports eating aged cheese and avocados last night. What assessment by the healthcare professional is the priority?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

MAOIs such as phenelzine may induce acute and heightened elevations in blood pressure (e.g., hypertensive crisis) after the intake of tyramine-rich foods, such as aged cheeses, sour cream, pods of broad beans, pickled herring, liver, canned figs, raisins, and avocados. The healthcare professional should assess this patient's blood pressure. Kidney function studies, a chest x-ray, and a weight are not needed at this time.

A Patient Is Taking Phenelzine and Presents to the Clinic