Question 1

A nursing instructor is planning to discuss the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994 with a group of nursing students. The instructor plans to include which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The DSHEA of 1994 mandates that dietary supplement labels (including those of herbal products) state that the products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. It does not require proof of intended effects or rigorous testing as drugs do under the FDA. While it does mandate that labels contain accurate information, this requirement is broader than just for herbal products.

Question 2

The client takes St. John's wort for depression but does not tell the healthcare provider. The provider prescribes an SSRI. The nurse should monitor for which of the following?

Accepted Answer

St. John's wort can interact with many medications, including SSRIs, and cause serotonin syndrome which can present with symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, agitation, and fever. It is important for the nurse to assess the patient for any signs of serotonin syndrome, especially if the patient is taking St. John's wort and an SSRI together. The other options, serum glucose level of 340, sedation, and serum potassium of 6.0, do not directly relate to a potential interaction between St. John's wort and an SSRI.

Question 3

The client tells the nurse that he or she has been taking herbal preparations to boost his or her immune system functioning. He or she does not know the names of the preparations. What is the best assessment question for the nurse to ask?

Accepted Answer

Asking the client to have their spouse bring the bottles to the hospital allows the nurse to directly assess the herbal preparations being used. This approach provides the most accurate and immediate information for evaluating potential interactions with prescribed medications or effects on the client's condition.

Question 4

The client uses Ginkgo biloba to enhance memory functioning but has not told the nurse about this herb. The healthcare provider orders warfarin (Coumadin) for this client. Which findings may the nurse find upon assessment?

Accepted Answer

Ginkgo biloba has anticoagulant effects that can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with medications such as warfarin. Therefore, the nurse may find petechiae and bleeding from the gums in this client due to the herb's interaction with the prescribed medication.

Question 5

The nurse plans to teach clients about the difference between herbal preparations and prescription medications. Which statement describes the best plan by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The statement that best describes the difference between herbal preparations and prescription medications is that the active ingredients in an herb may be present in just one part or many parts, while prescription drugs usually only contain one active ingredient. This is because herbs are natural products that contain a variety of compounds that work together to produce their therapeutic effects, while prescription drugs are typically synthetic compounds that have been developed to target specific biochemical pathways in the body. Understanding this difference is important for clients who are considering using herbal preparations, as they need to be aware of the potential for interactions with other medications they may be taking, and need to be properly informed about the potential benefits and risks associated with using these products.

Question 6

Clients at a senior citizen center have asked the nurse to do a presentation on herbal preparations. Which statement would be included in the best plan by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Herbal preparations are not regulated by the FDA in the same way that prescription and over-the-counter medications are. Therefore, they can have potential drug interactions and side effects. It is important to view them as drugs and be aware of their potential risks. Option A implies that all herbal preparations are safe, which is not true. Option B is not always the case, as not all herbal preparations have been tested in a clinical setting. Option D is also true, but not the most comprehensive answer.

Question 7

The client tells the nurse that he or she plans to take St. John's wort to treat his or her depression. What is the best response by the nurse? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

St. John's wort can interact with many other medications, and it would be better to have a psychiatric assessment first to rule out other causes of depression.

Question 8

The nurse prepares to teach clients about the safety and efficacy of herbal preparations. Which statement would be included in the best plan by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Herbal preparations are not held to the same safety and efficacy standards as prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. The manufacturer is not required to prove safety or efficacy before marketing, which is a significant difference from the regulatory requirements for conventional medications.

Question 9

The client confides in the nurse that he or she is drawn to complementary and alternative medicine because it promotes the "whole person." The client would like spirituality and prayer included in his or her plan of care. What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

This response acknowledges the client's wishes and offers to include it in their plan of care. It also shows support for the client's beliefs and values.

Question 10

The client is being treated for a cardiac dysrhythmia with amiodarone (Cordarone). The client has elevated liver function tests (LFTs). Which assessment finding would the nurse suspect as contributing to the elevated LFTs?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The client is being treated for a...

Question 11

Which client would be most likely to seek complementary and alternative therapies as a treatment modality? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which client would be most likely to...

Question 12

A client asks a nurse why herbal remedies are popular now. What is the nurse best response?

Accepted Answer

Herbal remedies have become increasingly popular due to aggressive marketing by companies and the growing interest in natural and alternative medicine. It is not because of insurance coverage or increased effectiveness for treating bacterial infections. While there may be some shifts in popularity over time, currently herbal remedies continue to grow in popularity.

Question 13

A pregnant client asks the nurse about changing from her prescription antidepressant medication to St. John's wort because it is natural. What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

St. John's wort is a drug and can interact with other medications, including antidepressants. It is important to discuss any changes in medication with a healthcare provider. Additionally, the safety of herbal preparations during pregnancy is not well established, so it is not recommended to switch without medical supervision.

Question 14

A nurse is teaching a student nurse about the active ingredients of herbal medicines. Which of the following indicates that teaching was effective?

Accepted Answer

The active ingredients of herbal medicines can be found in various parts of the plant, such as the leaves, stems, flowers, and roots, depending on the specific herb. Therefore, option A is the correct choice as it indicates that the student nurse understands that active ingredients can be found in various parts of the herb. Options B and C suggest that active ingredients are only located in one specific part of the plant, which is not accurate. Option D is also incorrect as active ingredients may be found in both the stems and leaves of certain herbs.

Question 15

The client takes several prescription medications and asks the nurse about using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). What is the best reply by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The client takes several prescription medications and...

Question 16

The nurse has been teaching a client about herbal preparations and determines that additional teaching is required when the client makes which statement?

Accepted Answer

This statement is incorrect as herbal products can contain multiple active ingredients. The client needs further teaching on this topic.

Question 17

The older adult asks the nurse how dietary supplements will help support health. What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Fish oil has been shown to improve cognitive function, including memory and attention, in older adults.

Question 18

A nurse is caring for a client being treated for seizures. The nurse would be most concerned if the client is also taking which herbal product?

Accepted Answer

Ginkgo can lower the seizure threshold and may increase the risk of seizures, especially in clients already being treated for seizure disorders.

Question 19

The nurse is teaching a class on dietary supplements. The nurse determines that learning has occurred when the patients make which statement?

Accepted Answer

Dietary supplements can make claims about supporting body structure and function, such as "promotes healthy urinary tract," without rigorous FDA approval.

Question 20

A nurse is planning to teach a client about the relationship of complementary and alternative therapies to pharmacology What should the nurse include?

Accepted Answer

Complementary and alternative therapies can be used in conjunction with pharmacology to reduce client medication needs and promote holistic healing. They should not necessarily be viewed as competitors and dismissed, but rather taken into consideration as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. While they may not always be as effective as medication use, they can still have value in disease prevention and treatment.

Quiz 10: The Role of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Pharmacology