Deck 15: The Role of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Pharmacotherapy

Question 1

The client states that an herbal supplement he is taking is "better" because it is standardized.The nurse bases her response to the client on the fact that standardization:
1)Allows for a comparison of potency among herbal products.
2)Shows which products were tested for their efficacy.
3)Shows which products underwent clinical trials.
4)Tells which products are FDA-approved.

Answer 1

1

Question 2

A client interested in using herbal therapies expresses concern that they could be dangerous.The nurse explains that herbal products are regulated by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, and that a major benefit of this act is that it includes:
1)A requirement for herbal products to be tested prior to manufacturing.
2)A requirement that manufacturers must prove the efficacy of each product.
3)The power of the FDA to remove from the market a product that poses a threat to the public.
4)A requirement of the manufacturer to prove the product is safe for the general public.

Answer 2

3

Question 3

The nurse has noticed that more clients are asking about the use of herbal supplements to treat their symptoms.The nurse is aware that this could be related to:
1)Herbal remedies being lower in cost.
2)Herbal remedies being much safer than are prescription medications.
3)Aggressive marketing by the herbal industry.
4)An increase in acute illnesses.

Answer 3

3

Question 4

The nurse recognizes that the major advantage of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)for clients is:
1)The lower cost.
2)Reduction in need for medications.
3)They are more readily available.
4)They have fewer side effects.

Question 5

A client comes to the clinic because of "yellow skin," which appeared after starting to take echinacea.The client lists amiodarone on the list of medications he is currently taking.Which action by the nurse takes highest priority?
1)Palpate for hepatomegaly.
2)Document the findings.
3)Notify the physician.
4)Prepare the client for a liver biopsy.

Question 6

The nurse obtains information during the admission interview that the client is taking herbal supplements.What implications does this information have for the client's treatment?
1)This is not important, because herbal products are natural, and pose little risk to the client.
2)These products are a welcome adjunct to conventional treatment.
3)The nurse must observe the client for allergic reactions.
4)The herbal products could interact with prescribed medications and affect drug action.

Question 7

A client complains of a severe headache, some dizziness, and increased anxiety/agitation since beginning to take nefazodone (Serzone)for depression.Knowing that the client had tried alternative therapies, including Saint John's wort, prior to agreeing to take Serzone, what might the nurse suspect?
1)The client is not being compliant with the medication regimen, perhaps even overdosing.
2)The client might be taking Saint John's wort with the Serzone.
3)The dose of Serzone probably is insufficient.
4)The client needs to be treated with another antidepressant drug.

Question 8

The nurse in the long-term care setting begins giving clients evening massages.Using CAM in this manner would have which pharmacological benefit for the clients?
1)A possible decreased need for sedatives to assist with sleep
2)Consistent time for client to go to sleep
3)Fewer drug interactions
4)Improved nurse-client communication

Question 9

Although attempts are made to standardize the flavones in gingko, the nurse is aware that the ingredients contained in the product can still be particularly dangerous for which clients?
1)Those who are allergic to the inert ingredients
2)Those using a generic brand of the herbal product
3)Clients who have never taken the drug
4)Clients who are of African-American ethnicity

Question 10

A client receiving warfarin (Coumadin)therapy reports use of the herb feverfew.The nurse observes the client for evidence of:
1)Liver toxicity.
2)Increased coagulation.
3)Renal dysfunction.
4)Increased bleeding potential.

Question 11

An internal medicine physician suggests that a client drink one glass of wine each evening to help prevent heart disease.The client explains that his religious beliefs prohibit taking alcohol, in any form, but that he would be willing to try an herbal supplement.What type of formulation should the nurse suggest that this client avoid?
1)Infusions
2)Decoction
3)Teas
4)Tincture

Question 12

The nurse supports a client's use of mind-body interventions, and provides privacy to do which of the following?
1)Meditation
2)Reading
3)Prayer
4)Aromatherapy

Question 13

A client asks the nurse how CAM will benefit her recovery.The nurse knows that the greatest and most common value in CAM therapy is that:
1)It is less expensive than prescription medication.
2)CAM therapy can reduce the need for prescription medication.
3)The use of CAM therapy is more widely accepted than is mainstream medication.
4)CAM therapy is more widely available than is prescription medication.

Question 14

The client states that she has been using the herbal product saw palmetto.The nurse determines that the product is helpful when the client reports:
1)The ability to fall asleep quickly.
2)Less difficulty initiating urination.
3)Less burning and pain with urination.
4)A decrease in the frequency of headaches.

Question 15

The nurse is preparing to teach a class on herbal supplements.Included in the class is information that which of the following is a legal requirement contained in the DSHEA?
1)Dietary supplements must be tested for safety prior to marketing.
2)Efficacy must be demonstrated by the manufacturer.
3)The herbal product must contain only one active ingredient.
4)Dietary supplements must includes a statement that the product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Question 16

The client has been taking sertraline hydrochloride (Zoloft)but just added Saint John's wort for depression.He is now in the Emergency Department with serotonin syndrome.The nurse would expect to find:
1)Sweating, agitation, and headache.
2)Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3)Fever, tachycardia, and hypotension.
4)Sweating, fever, and night sweat.

Question 17

The nurse should caution the client who plans to collect plants to use for herbal therapy to gain knowledge about which properties of plant formulations?
1)Leaves and berries are poisonous.
2)The active chemicals are found in the roots only.
3)The active chemicals could be in one part or all parts of the plant.
4)Collecting plants while they are flowering will inactivate the desired chemicals.

Question 18

The nurse is advising the client about the proper use of herbal and dietary supplements.What is the responsibility of the nurse in recommending herbal products?
1)The nurse should seek to dissuade the client from using them, because they are not "scientific."
2)The nurse should be aware of the latest medical information on herbal products, including interactions and side effects.
3)The nurse should inform clients that they can trust the labeling on herbal products because the U.S.government tests them rigorously before they are marketed.
4)The nurse should advise the client to seek information on herbal products from a practitioner of alternative medicine rather than a physician, because the physician has no knowledge of these products.

Question 19

The nurse explains that the benefits of adding dietary supplements to the treatment plan for older adults include:
1)Prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
2)An inexpensive alternative to traditional medicines.
3)Possible prevention of nutritional deficits.
4)Protection of the older adult from side effects of prescribed drugs.

Question 20

The nurse is aware that based on the DSHEA of 1994, the FDA does which of the following in regard to herbal products?
1)Conducts clinical trials to demonstrate product efficacy.
2)Standardizes all ingredients contained in herbal supplements.
3)Enforces standards of herbal product safety.
4)Outlines uses for the public for herbal supplements.

Question 21

The client asks the nurse how to tell the various strengths of an herbal supplement.The nurse responds:
1)"There is no need to check strengths.All products in the United States are standardized."
2)"There is no way to compare strengths of any herbal products in the United States."
3)"Look for a label with an NSF or United States Pharmacopoeia (USP)certification, which will indicate that the strengths are equal."
4)"If the herbal supplement is standardized, you can compare the amount of active ingredient in different products."