Page 1450 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

9. Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
10. Acne
11. Changes in libido
12. Hepatotoxicity, jaundice

13. Hypercalcemia

C. Interventions

1. Monitor vital signs.
2. Monitor for edema, weight gain, and skin changes.
3. Assess mental status and neurological function.
4. Assess for signs of liver dysfunction, including right
upper quadrant abdominal pain, malaise, fever,
jaundice, and pruritus.
5. Assess for the development of secondary sexual
characteristics.
6. Instruct the client to take medication with meals or a
snack.
7. Instruct the client to notify the PHCP if priapism
develops.
8. Instruct the client to notify the PHCP if fluid retention
occurs.
9. Instruct women to use a nonhormonal contraceptive
while on therapy.
10. For women, monitor for menstrual irregularities and
decreased breast size.
IX. Estrogens and Progestins
A. Description
1. Estrogens are steroids that stimulate female
reproductive tissue.
2. Progestins are steroids that specifically stimulate the
uterine lining.

3. Estrogen and progestin preparations may be

used to stimulate the endogenous hormones to restore
hormonal balance or to treat hormone-sensitive
tumors (suppress tumor growth) or for contraception
(Boxes 47-7 and 47-8).
B. Contraindications and cautions
1. Estrogens

a. Estrogens are contraindicated in

clients with breast cancer, endometrial
hyperplasia, endometrial cancer,
history of thromboembolism, known
or suspected pregnancy, or lactation.
b. Use estrogens with caution in clients

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