Question 1

Which is a therapeutic effect of valerian?

Accepted Answer

Valerian has been used for more than 1000 years as a mild tranquilizer.Valerian is used for restlessness and may promote sleep.Valerian does not affect cholesterol levels,prevent infection,or affect mood.

Question 2

A high school male athlete reports that he is taking creatine supplements to enhance his athletic performance and bulk up his muscles.Which important teaching point(s)and/or recommendation(s)should be made for this supplement?(Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Adverse effects of creatine may include muscle cramping,dehydration,GI bloating,and diarrhea.Because creatine is nephrotoxic,the addition of another drug with this effect could produce serious renal complications.Cell volumization occurs because of a process linked to increased muscle protein synthesis.Recommended dosages are a loading dose of 5 to 6 g four times daily for 5 to 7 days,followed by doses of 2 g/day to maintain elevated creatine concentrations in the muscle.Restricting fluids is not recommended.

Question 3

Aloe gel for topical use has been marketed to treat which conditions?(Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Aloe gel may be used topically as a healing agent for sunburn and frostbite; for treatment of psoriasis,skin ulcers,pain,and inflammation; and for topical use to relieve itching.Aloe gel is not used to treat migraine headaches.

Question 4

Which symptom(s)would be consistent with a paradoxical response associated with melatonin use?(Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Paradoxical,or opposite,responses would include agitation and insomnia.Melatonin causes drowsiness and poor concentration,which are not paradoxical.Melatonin is best known as a sleep aid and treatment for jet lag.

Question 5

Which statement about dietary supplements is true?

Accepted Answer

Labels and advertisements of dietary supplements must contain a statement that the product has not yet been evaluated by the FDA for the treatment,cure,or prevention of disease.Legally,dietary supplements are not required to be safe and effective,and unfounded claims of therapeutic benefits abound.There can be serious adverse effects when taking dietary supplements.Dietary supplements are not fully approved by the FDA or the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).

Question 6

Which dietary supplement should be used with extreme caution if the patient is on a platelet inhibitor?

Accepted Answer

Garlic reduces platelet aggregation and should be used with extreme caution in patients receiving platelet inhibitors (e.g.,aspirin,ticlopidine,dipyridamole,clopidogrel).

Question 7

A patient diagnosed with diabetes,hypertension,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,and angina reports to the nurse that she is taking an aloe juice drink to treat constipation.When assessing this patient for adverse interactions,the nurse will prioritize

Accepted Answer

Blood glucose would be the priority because when aloe is taken orally,it may have hypoglycemic effects.

Question 8

The nurse at a health care clinic is educating a patient regarding the use of the supplement ginseng.What information should be conveyed by the nurse?(Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Ginseng is available in tablet form.Insomnia can result from ginseng intake.Ginseng may affect blood coagulation.Very few scientific studies have been completed on ginseng.Research has not confirmed that it increases the body's resistance to stress.There is no scientific basis for the claim that ginseng is an aphrodisiac.

Question 9

Which effect(s)can be attributed to green tea?(Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Green tea has been shown to lower cholesterol,triglycerides,and LDL and to raise HDL.Green tea does not affect blood glucose or prevent loss of calcium or viral infections.

Question 10

The nurse is caring for a 36-year-old male patient newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).The patient asks if he can continue to take echinacea to help boost his immune system.The nurse's best response is

Accepted Answer

Because echinacea appears to be an immunomodulator,it is not recommended for patients with autoimmune diseases,such as MS.

Question 11

The use of which medication would alert the nurse to educate the patient about using ginkgo biloba cautiously?

Accepted Answer

Ginkgolides inhibit platelet activating factor,inhibiting platelet aggregation.Ginkgo does not interact with antiemetics,anti-inflammatories,or antibiotics.

Question 12

What is black cohosh used for?

Accepted Answer

Black cohosh is used to reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome,dysmenorrhea,and menopause.Therapy is not recommended for longer than 6 months.Because of its effect of relaxing the uterus,black cohosh is not used in pregnant women.Black cohosh does not affect the GI system or relieve migraines.

Question 13

Which herb is used to stimulate the innate immune system?

Accepted Answer

Echinacea is a nonspecific stimulator of the innate (nonspecific)immune system.It stimulates phagocytosis and effector cell activity.There is an increased release of tumor necrosis factors and interferons from macrophages and T lymphocytes,which increases the body's resistance to bacterial and viral infection.It may have anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting hyaluronidase,a potent inflammatory.Aloe gel has been marketed for topical use to treat pain,inflammation,and itching and as a healing agent for sunburn,skin ulcers,psoriasis,and frostbite.Chamomile is used as a digestive aid for bloating and as an antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory in the GI tract,an antispasmodic for menstrual cramps,an anti-inflammatory for skin irritation,and a mouthwash for minor mouth irritation or gum infections.Ginger has been used for centuries to alleviate nausea and vomiting from a variety of causes.It is thought to act as an antiemetic by increasing gastroduodenal motility and by blocking serotonin receptors that,when stimulated,may trigger nausea and vomiting.

Question 14

A patient calls inquiring about herbal treatment of hypercholesterolemia and other nonpharmaceutical measures to lower his cholesterol level.Which important concept(s)should be included in the response to this patient?(Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Green tea has been shown to lower cholesterol,triglycerides,and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)and to raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL); moderate consumption of one to four cups daily appears to provide therapeutic benefits.One fresh clove of garlic daily,or a daily dose of 8 mg of Allium,is the current dosage recommendation to treat hypercholesterolemia.Garlic reduces platelet aggregation and should be used with caution in patients receiving platelet inhibitors,anticoagulants,and herbal medicines (e.g.,ginkgo,ginger,feverfew,ginseng).Black cohosh is used to reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome,dysmenorrhea,and menopause.Aspirin is not taken for control of hyperlipidemia; discontinuation of aspirin therapy for other indications should be only with the direction of the health care provider.

Question 15

Which herbal medicine may improve a patient's short-term memory loss and cognitive function?

Accepted Answer

Ginkgo biloba extract is used primarily for increasing cerebral blood flow,particularly in geriatric patients.Conditions treated are short-term memory loss,headache,dizziness,tinnitus,and emotional instability with anxiety.Ginger is used to relieve nausea.Green tea has antioxidant effects.Feverfew is used to relieve migraines.

Question 16

What is St.John's wort used to treat?

Accepted Answer

St.John's wort is used to treat mild depression and heal wounds.The action of St.John's wort is unknown.Studies have shown a prolonged effect of serotonin,dopamine,and norepinephrine as a result of decreased reuptake.Aloe is used to treat arthritis.Ephedra is used to treat asthma.Goldenseal is used to treat viral infections.

Quiz 47: Herbal and Dietary Supplement Therapy

Which is a therapeutic effect of valerian?

A high school male athlete reports that he is taking creatine supplements to enhance his athletic performance and bulk up his muscles.Which important teaching point(s) and/or recommendation(s) should be made for this supplement?(Select all that apply.)