Dose of DMPA is?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2019

Explanation

DMPA (Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) is a widely used progestin-only injectable contraceptive.
The standard dose for the intramuscular (IM) formulation, known as Depo-Provera, is 150 mg.
This dose is administered every 3 months (or every 12-13 weeks) to provide continuous and effective contraception.
Its primary mechanism of action is the suppression of ovulation.

Option A: This is the correct dosage and frequency for a different injectable contraceptive, not DMPA.
Option B: This is an incorrect dose and frequency for any standard progestin-only injectable. Monthly injectables are typically combined (estrogen and progestin) contraceptives and have different formulations.
Option D: This is an incorrect dose and frequency. While a lower dose of DMPA exists (104 mg), it is administered subcutaneously every 3 months, not for two weeks.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Dosage and administration of injectable contraceptives (DMPA) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses must counsel patients on the common side effects of DMPA, such as menstrual irregularities (amenorrhea, spotting) and potential weight gain, to improve adherence and manage patient expectations.
A critical patient education point is the delayed return to fertility (average 9-10 months) after discontinuing DMPA, which is vital for women's future family planning.
It is crucial to administer the injection correctly (deep IM) and advise the patient not to massage the site, as this can affect the drug's absorption rate and efficacy.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the specific drug mentioned in the question, which is DMPA (Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate).
This is a factual recall question, so you need to access your knowledge about contraceptive pharmacology.
Mentally review the common injectable contraceptives and their standard regimens. The two most common are DMPA and NET-EN.
Recall that DMPA is associated with a 3-month interval.
Recall that NET-EN is associated with a 2-month interval.
Match the correct dose (150 mg) with the correct frequency (every 3 months) for DMPA from the given options.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q36NGzVybc8LX_lQ03uJ-4

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart C (pp 404-604 of 604) p. 196-198

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 1233-1235

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Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.