Deck 19: Over-The-Counter Drugs

Question 1

A patient asks, "I want to consult an herbalist.What should I do to make sure I don't get some impostor?" What should the nurse advise the patient to first ask their primary provider?

A) "How much will treatments cost?"
B) "Have you treated this condition before?"
C) "Do the treatments pose any dangers to me?"
D) "What group has certified you in this practice?"

Answer 1

"What group has certified you in this practice?"

Question 2

During an admission interview, a patient who reports high levels of anxiety says, "I've been using kava-kava for about a week to relieve anxiety." When the nurse assesses mental status, what is the expected finding?

A) Reduced coordination and slurred speech
B) Intact cognitive functioning
C) Slow response times
D) Paranoid thinking

Answer 2

Intact cognitive functioning

Question 3

A patient reports taking melatonin daily.Which aspect of the patient's health and function would be most important for the nurse to assess?

A) Urinary and bowel elimination
B) Energy and activity tolerance
C) Sleep hygiene and patterns
D) Memory and cognition

Answer 3

Sleep hygiene and patterns

Question 4

A client reports having symptoms suggesting a fight or flight response.The nurse suggests limiting consumption of which beverages? (Select all that apply.)

A) Coffee
B) Tea
C) Grapefruit juice
D) Sodas
E) Chocolate milk

Question 5

A patient reports frequent sleep disturbances.Which preparations could be considered to help improve the patient's sleep pattern? (Select all that apply.)

A) Yohimbine
B) Vitamin C
C) Melatonin
D) Valerian
E) SAM-e

Question 6

A patient takes the herb Angelica.Which assessment question should the nurse ask? (Select all that apply.)

A) "Are you currently pregnant?"
B) "Have you been diagnosed with diabetes?"
C) Do you have any history of liver problems?"
D) "Do you have a history of peptic ulcers?"
E) "Are you currently prescribed an anticoagulant medication?"

Question 7

The patient will report improvement in which area when taking valerian?

A) A lower stress level
B) Undisturbed sleep throughout the night
C) An increased interest in recreational activities
D) Awakening without an alarm clock in the morning

Question 8

Which important points should the nurse teach a patient about using herbal preparations? (Select all that apply.)

A) Check active and inactive ingredients.
B) Discontinue use if side effects or adverse effects occur.
C) Buying from online sources is preferable and cheaper.
D) Avoid herbals during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
E) Inform your health care provider about the use of herbals.

Question 9

Alternative therapy is associated with what characteristic?

A) Any natural therapy without a research basis
B) Evidence-based pharmacologic use of plant products
C) Therapies used in conjunction with Western medicine
D) Therapies not generally accepted by Western medicine

Question 10

For which patient comorbid diagnosis would it be most important for the nurse to urge the patient to immediately discontinue using kava-kava?

A) Cirrhosis
B) Osteoarthritis
C) Multiple sclerosis
D) Chronic back pain

Question 11

A neighbor asks a nurse, "Are there any resources that would help me get reliable information about alternative and complementary therapies?" Which resource should the nurse recommend?

A) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
B) American Psychiatric Association
C) American Medical Association
D) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Question 12

A patient tells the nurse, "I've been having problems with my memory.I read some information on the Internet and started taking gingko." Select the nurse's best response.

A) "The Internet does not have reliable health information."
B) "The most recent studies indicate that gingko started early may slow cognitive decline."
C) "SAM-e has been shown to have better effects for treating memory problems."
D) "Your memory problems are related to your mental illness.Herbs will not help."

Question 13

An anxious patient diagnosed with diabetes says, "I'm considering taking angelica to help me relax." What is the best outcome for this patient's plan of care?

A) The patient will report subjective feelings of improved sleep.
B) The patient will identify other options to manage anxiety.
C) The patient will monitor fingerstick blood glucose daily.
D) The patient will rate anxiety as 5 or less on a scale of 10.

Question 14

A patient with which disorder would most likely benefit from taking St.John wort?

A) Suicidal depression
B) Hypomanic symptoms
C) Mild depressive symptoms
D) Panic disorder with agoraphobia

Question 15

A patient diagnosed with a history of depression disorder tells the nurse, "My primary-care provider told me to start taking fish oil capsules to prevent heart disease.Will it cause problems with my mental illness?" What is the nurse's best response?

A) "It will not cause problems.It may actually help with your depressed feelings."
B) "I cannot discuss recommendations you received from another health care provider."
C) "It would be better for you to take vitamins C and E.I will notify your primary-care provider."
D) "Please have your primary-care provider call me so we can discuss issues related to this preparation."

Question 16

A patient diagnosed with depression tells the nurse, "I've been supplementing my paroxetine with St.John wort, and it has helped a great deal." What is the nurse's priority action?

A) Assess changes in the patient's level of depression.
B) Remind the patient to use a secondary form of birth control.
C) Educate the patient about the risks of serotonin syndrome.
D) Suggest adding valerian to the treatment regimen to further improve results.

Question 17

Which patient who takes both phenytoin and valerian regularly is a risk for developing serious side effects?

A) A pregnant woman
B) An adult with a history of alcohol abuse
C) An adult with an acute peptic ulcer
D) A teen with an allergy to ragweed

Question 18

Select the example of complementary therapy.

A) St.John wort used with olanzapine.
B) Valerian used with disulfiram (A).
C) Fluoxetine used with lorazepam.
D) Propranolol used with systematic desensitization.

Question 19

Which statement causes the nurse to suspect the patient may be self-medicating with an alternative therapy?

A) "I frequently have skin rashes that itch."
B) "Constipation is an everyday problem for me."
C) "My computed tomography scan shows that I have uterine fibroid tumors."
D) "I've been very depressed and anxious since I lost my job."