Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 88%
Simulated
A nurse is assessing a client who is taking phenelzine and reports eating aged cheese. Which of the following is a manifestation of an interaction between the medication and the food?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct answer is A: Hypertension. Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor that can interact with tyramine-rich foods like aged cheese, leading to a hypertensive crisis. Tyramine displaces norepinephrine, causing vasoconstriction and elevated blood pressure. Bradycardia, somnolence, and diarrhea are not typically associated with this interaction. Hypertension is the most critical manifestation to assess due to the risk of severe cardiovascular complications.