When completing an admission assessment on a patient with a diagnosis of depression, the nurse discovers that the patient is taking an herb that is believed to treat depression in their culture but is contraindicated with the pharmacological treatment the patient is receiving. What is the nurses' initial action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When cultural patterns are determined harmful (e.g., if a patient is taking an herb that is contraindicated with the prescription medication), the nurse is responsible for alerting the patient and the mental health care team to these risks. The initial action would not include altering the medication treatment. Informing a patient that she or he cannot continue a cultural practice is not appropriate as the initial action. Although it is important that the health care team is aware of this information, the nurse would address it with the patient initially.

When Completing an Admission Assessment on a Patient with a Diagnosis