Question

A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for combined oral contraceptives about potential adverse effects of the medication. For which of the following findings should the nurse instruct the client to notify the provider?

a) Increased appetite
b) Mild headache
c) Persistent leg swelling
d) Temporary breast tenderness

Answer 1

The nurse should instruct the client to notify the provider in the case of persistent leg swelling when taking combined oral contraceptives.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should instruct the client to notify the provider in the case of persistent leg swelling when taking combined oral contraceptives. Leg swelling can be a sign of a serious side effect called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein, often in the leg. DVTs can be life-threatening if they move to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism. Therefore, the client should seek immediate medical attention if they experience persistent leg swelling.