A patient who stopped taking teriflunomide [Aubagio] 1 year prior tells the nurse that she has just found out she is pregnant. Which action by the nurse is correct?
A) Contact the provider to obtain an order for serum drug levels.
B) Reassure the patient that her fetus should be safe.
C) Suggest that she consider an abortion.
D) Tell her that she will not be able to nurse her baby when it is born.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Women taking teriflunomide should be tested prior to beginning the drug to rule out pregnancy and should be counseled to use a reliable form of birth control while taking it since the drug is listed as pregnancy category X and can cause serious birth defects. The drug can stay in the system for up to 2 years. Women who become pregnant should be evaluated to determine serum drug levels and bile-acid sequestrants or activated charcoal may be given to enhance drug elimination. The nurse cannot assure her that her fetus is safe and should not counsel abortion.

A Patient Who Stopped Taking Teriflunomide [Aubagio] 1 Year Prior