Comprehensive Nursing Pharmacology Q 12
A female client who has a history of seizures went to a healthcare facility to ask the nurse regarding the use of birth control pills while on phenytoin therapy. The nurse correctly states to the client that:
A. Taking phenytoin decreases the effectiveness of birth control pills.
B. Pregnancy is not allowed while taking phenytoin.
C. There is no known interaction between these medicines so there is nothing to worry about.
D. To discontinue phenytoin and proceed with the oral contraceptive.
Correct Answer: A. Taking phenytoin decreases the effectiveness of birth control pills.
Clients taking oral contraceptives are known to suffer contraceptive failure while taking anticonvulsants such as phenobarbitone, phenytoin, and carbamazepine because they decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills.
Options B, C, & D: These are inappropriate instructions.