A 28-year-old patient with endometriosis asks why she is being ...

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A 28-year-old patient with endometriosis asks why she is being treated with medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera), a medication that she thought was an oral contraceptive. The nurse explains that this therapy
 
  a. suppresses the menstrual cycle by mimicking pregnancy.
  b. will relieve symptoms such as vaginal atrophy and hot flashes.
  c. prevents a pregnancy that could worsen the menstrual bleeding.
  d. will lead to permanent suppression of abnormal endometrial tissues.

Question 2

A 32-year-old patient has oral contraceptives prescribed for endometriosis. The nurse will teach the patient to
 
  a. expect to experience side effects such as facial hair.
  b. take the medication every day for the next 9 months.
  c. take calcium supplements to prevent developing osteoporosis during therapy.
  d. use a second method of contraception to ensure that she will not become pregnant.

[potomatos]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Depo-Provera induces a pseudopregnancy, which suppresses ovulation and causes shrinkage of endometrial tissue. Menstrual bleeding does not occur during pregnancy. Vaginal atrophy and hot flashes are caused by synthetic androgens such as danazol or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GNRH) such as leuprolide. Although hormonal therapies will control endometriosis while the therapy is used, endometriosis will recur once the menstrual cycle is reestablished.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
When oral contraceptives are prescribed to treat endometriosis, the patient should take the medications continuously for 9 months. Facial hair is a side effect of synthetic androgens. The patient does not need to use additional contraceptive methods. The hormones in oral contraceptives will protect against osteoporosis.