Question 1

What statement regarding the Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act is false?

Accepted Answer

The statement that the Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act guaranteed safety, efficacy, or purity of products sold is false. While the Act did require label accuracy, it specifically stated that the FDA did not have the authority to review supplements for safety or efficacy before they were marketed. The responsibility fell on the supplement manufacturers to ensure the safety and accuracy of their products.

Question 2

What statement regarding the U.S.Food and Drug Administration's MedWatch Reporting System is true?

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's MedWatch Reporting System is used by clinicians to report suspected adverse events caused by dietary supplements. It is a voluntary reporting system that allows healthcare professionals and patients to report adverse events, side effects, and medication errors associated with prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, biologics, and medical devices, including dietary supplements. It helps the FDA to conduct post-marketing surveillance to better understand the safety of marketed products and take appropriate regulatory actions if necessary.

Question 3

Which agent may be utilized as a preventative agent against dementia?

Accepted Answer

Docosahexanoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil that has been shown to have a preventative effect against dementia and cognitive decline. It is believed to protect the brain by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as promoting the production of neuroprotective molecules.

Question 4

Which natural product has a greater body of evidence for the prevention of Helicobacter pylori infections than for urinary tract infections (UTIs)?

Accepted Answer

Cranberry has a greater body of evidence supporting its use in the prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs) rather than for the prevention of Helicobacter pylori infections.

Question 5

Why should evening primrose oil be avoided in patients on anticoagulation therapy?

Accepted Answer

Evening primrose oil may interfere with platelet aggregation, which can increase the risk of bleeding in patients on anticoagulation therapy.

Question 6

Why is integrative medicine considered a patient-centered therapy?

Accepted Answer

Integrative medicine emphasizes the importance of treating the whole patient, including their physical, mental, and spiritual health. Therefore, it is considered a patient-centered therapy as it focuses on individualized care tailored to meet the patient's specific needs and preferences. Integrative medicine also encourages active patient participation in their care, with an emphasis on prevention and lifestyle changes to promote overall wellness.

Question 7

Which of the following is not an effect of black cohosh?

Accepted Answer

Black cohosh has been traditionally used to improve several menopausal symptoms such as sleep disturbances, hot flushes, and night sweats. However, it has not been found to have a significant effect on improving vaginal atrophy.

Question 8

Which option most appropriately describes complementary and integrative medicine?

Accepted Answer

Complementary and integrative medicine is the combination of conventional pharmaceutical therapy with evidence-based use of natural products in designing patient treatment plans. This approach combines the best of both conventional Western medicine and evidence-based complementary therapies to improve patient outcomes. It emphasizes the whole person and uses a variety of interventions to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient. This approach recognizes the value of conventional medicine but also acknowledges the limitations of conventional treatments and the need to explore complementary interventions that may be effective in improving patient outcomes.

Question 9

What is the best definition of an "opportunity cost"?

Accepted Answer

Opportunity cost refers to the loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen. In this context, none of the provided options directly relate to the economic concept of opportunity cost except for option A, which can be interpreted as the cost (loss of health) associated with choosing one option (delay in care) over another (receiving immediate care). However, this interpretation is a stretch as none of the options directly address the economic principle of opportunity cost.

Question 10

Why does Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)status not preclude possible significant side effects or drug interactions of herbs and spices used for medicinal purposes?

Accepted Answer

GRAS status is determined for substances used in food and assumes that they will be used in typical amounts for flavoring or preservation. Medicinal use may require much higher doses, which could lead to side effects or drug interactions that were not anticipated with the GRAS determination.

Question 11

What statement regarding probiotics is false?

Accepted Answer

The statement that probiotics as natural agents have been utilized only within the past 20 years is false. Probiotic foods, such as yogurt and kefir, have been consumed for centuries in many cultures for their supposed health benefits, and their use can be traced back to ancient times.

Quiz 25: The Integrative Medicine Pharmacopoeia: Herbals, vitamins, and Dietary Supplements