An adolescent girl asks the school nurse for advice because she has dysmenorrhea. She says that a friend recommended she try an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The nurse's response should be based on which statement?
a. Aspirin is the drug of choice for the treatment of dysmenorrhea.
b. Over-the-counter NSAIDs are rarely strong enough to provide adequate pain relief.
c. NSAIDs are effective because of their analgesic effect.
d. NSAIDs are effective because they inhibit prostaglandins, leading to reduction in uterine activity.
ANS: D
First-line therapy for adolescents with dysmenorrhea is NSAIDs. This group of drugs blocks the formation of prostaglandins. NSAIDs, not aspirin, are the drugs of choice in dysmenorrhea. NSAIDs are potent anti-inflammatory agents that inhibit prostaglandin. Although NSAIDs have analgesic effects, the mechanism of action in dysmenorrhea is most likely the antiprostaglandin effect.
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