A client is prescribed a medication and is concerned it might have teratogenic effects. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

Question

1. "Let me check the pregnancy risk category of the drug."
2. "Are you in your first trimester of pregnancy?"
3. "If your health care provider ordered the medication, it should be okay."
4. "You should avoid taking any medications while pregnant."

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The pregnancy risk category of a drug gauges the risk of birth defects or teratogenic effects.
Rationale 2: Although most drugs have more detrimental effects in the first trimester, they can have teratogenic effects throughout the pregnancy.
Rationale 3: This statement does not answer the client's question. The client could be asking about an over-the-counter drug as well.
Rationale 4: Although it is best to limit the amount of drugs taken during pregnancy, there are some drugs that are safe to take when pregnant and that do not have teratogenic effects.
Global Rationale: The pregnancy risk category of a drug gauges the risk of birth defects or teratogenic effects. Although most drugs have more detrimental effects in the first trimester, they can have teratogenic effects throughout the pregnancy. Telling the client that the health care provider ordered the medication and, therefore, it should be okay does not answer the client's question. The client could be asking about an over-the-counter drug as well. Although it is best to limit the amount of drugs taken during pregnancy, there are some drugs that are safe to take when pregnant and that do not have teratogenic effects.