Deck 8: Herbal Therapy and Cannabis

Question 1

A thorough understanding of herbs is critical to patient safety. An example is the use of cinnamon to treat type II diabetes. It is important the patient uses Ceylon cinnamon, as the commercially available cassia cinnamon contains:

A)Coumadin, which may lead to bleeding problems
B)Coumarin, which can cause liver and kidney damage
C)Cinnamic aldehyde, which is toxic to the kidney
D)Cinnamate eugenol, which is toxic to the liver

Answer 1

Coumarin, which can cause liver and kidney damage

Question 2

Herbs and supplements are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

A)True
B)False

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The role of the nurse practitioner (NP) with regards to herbal medication is to:

A)Maintain competence in the prescribing of common herbal remedies
B)Recommend common over-the-counter herbs to patients
C)Educate patients and guide them to appropriate sources of care
D)Encourage patients to not use herbal therapy due to the documented dangers

Answer 3

Educate patients and guide them to appropriate sources of care

Question 4

A potential harmful effect on patients who take some kinds of herbal medication is:

A)Constipation
B)Lead poisoning
C)Diarrhea
D)Life-threatening rash

Question 5

Ginseng, which is taken to assist with memory, may potentiate:

A)Aricept
B)Insulin
C)Digoxin
D)Propranolol

Question 6

Patients should be warned about the overuse of topical wintergreen oil to treat muscle strains, as overapplication can lead to:

A)Respiratory depression
B)Cardiac disturbance
C)Salicylates poisoning
D)Life-threatening rashes

Question 7

Patients need to be instructed regarding drug interactions with St. John's Wort, including:

A)MAO inhibitors
B)Serotonin reuptake inhibitors
C)Over-the-counter cough and cold medications
D)All of the above

Question 8

When melatonin is used to induce sleep, the recommendation is that the patient:

A)Take 10 mg 30 minutes before bed nightly
B)Take 1 to 5 mg 30 minutes before bed nightly
C)Not take melatonin more than three nights a week
D)Combine melatonin with zolpidem (Ambien) for the greatest impact on sleep

Question 9

According to traditional Chinese medicine, if a person who has a fever is given a herb that is yang in nature, such as golden seal, the patient will:

A)Get worse
B)Get better
C)Not be adequately treated
D)Need additional herbs to treat the yang

Question 10

Synthetic cannabinoid products include:

A)Cannabis sativa
B)Dronabinol
C)Cannabidiol (CBD) oil
D)Epidiolex

Question 11

Licorice root is a common treatment for dyspepsia. Drug interactions with licorice include:

A)Antihypertensives, diuretics, and digoxin
B)Antidiarrheals, antihistamines, and omeprazole
C)Penicillin antibiotic class and benzodiazepines
D)None of the above

Question 12

Oral cannabidiol (Epidiolex) is used to treat which childhood disorder:

A)Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
B)Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
C)Seizures
D)Depression

Question 13

Valerian tea can be used to help a patient relax and fall asleep. Overdosage of valerian (more than 2.5 gm/dose) may lead to:

A)Cardiac disturbances
B)Central nervous system depression
C)Respiratory depression
D)Skin rashes

Question 14

Evidence supports the use of cannabinoids in the treatment of:

A)Pancreatic cancer
B)Depression
C)Chronic pain
D)Schizophrenia

Question 15

A good patient history of herb and supplement use is critical before prescribing because approximately ____ % of patients in the United States are using herbal products.

A)10
B)5
C)37
D)70

Question 16

In Ayurvedic medicine, treatment is based on the patient's dominant dosha, which is referred to as the person's:

A)Vata
B)Pitta
C)Kapha
D)Prakriti

Question 17

Traditional Chinese medicine utilizes yin (cooling) versus yang (warming) in assessing and treating disease. Menopause is considered a time of imbalance, therefore the Chinese herbalist would prescribe:

A)Herbs that are yang in nature
B)Herbs that are yin in nature
C)Ginger
D)Golden seal

Question 18

The standard dosage of St. John's Wort for the treatment of mild depression is:

A)300 mg daily
B)100 mg three times a day
C)300 mg three times a day
D)600 mg three times a day