Which statement about ipratropium bromide precautions is accurate?

• A. Pregnancy category B
• B. It should be avoided in urinary retention
• C. It should be avoided in narrow-angle glaucoma
• D. It is contraindicated with albuterol

Answer: (A)

The key point here is safety in pregnancy as reflected by the drug’s pregnancy category. Inhaled ipratropium bromide is a quaternary ammonium anticholinergic with minimal systemic absorption, so fetal exposure is limited. Its pregnancy category B indicates no proven risk in humans (often from animal data and the low systemic exposure with inhaled use), making it acceptable to use in pregnancy when needed, such as as an adjunct to a beta-agonist for acute bronchospasm.

The other statements aren’t as accurate for this context. Urinary retention and narrow-angle glaucoma are considerations with anticholinergics in general, but they are not defining pregnancy-related precautions and don’t override the pregnancy safety profile. And ipratropium is not contraindicated with albuterol; they are commonly used together in combination therapy.