The nurse is assessing and getting a history from a client treated for depression with a monoamine oxidase (MAO) antidepressant. The most serious side effect associated with this antidepressant and the ingestion of tyramine in aged foods may be:
A . Hypertensive crisis
B . Severe rash
C . Severe hypotension
D . Severe diarrhea
Answer: A
Explanation:
(A) The most serious adverse reactions of MAO inhibitors involve blood pressure and ingestion of tyramine-containing foods, which may provoke a hypertensive crisis.
(B) MAO inhibitors cause adverse reactions affecting the central nervous system and serious adverse reactions involving blood pressure.
(C) MAO inhibits false neurotransmitters (phenylalanines) and may produce hypotensive reactions from gradual accumulation of these neurotransmitters.
(D) The most serious adverse reactions of MAO inhibitors involve blood pressure.