Question

The nurse teaches a client receiving isocarboxazid that failure to adhere to the necessary dietary restrictions can result in which complication?

1) Syncope
2) Bradycardia
3) Hypertensive crisis
4) Hyperglycemic episodes

Answer 1

The consumption of tyramine-rich foods while taking isocarboxazid, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), can result in a hypertensive crisis due to the elevated levels of tyramine that cannot be broken down by the inhibited enzyme.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse teaches a client receiving isocarboxazid that failure to adhere to the necessary dietary restrictions can result in a hypertensive crisis. Isocarboxazid is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), and these types of medications can cause severe hypertension if foods high in tyramine are consumed. Foods that typically contain high levels of tyramine include aged cheeses, cured meats, and some alcoholic beverages. This is because MAOIs inhibit the breakdown of tyramine in the body, which can lead to dangerously high levels of this substance, potentially causing a hypertensive crisis. Therefore, clients taking isocarboxazid must follow strict dietary guidelines to avoid this complication.