A nurse is reviewing complementary therapies approved by the provider with a client who has hypertension. Which of the following supplements should the nurse discuss with the client?

A. Honey: In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), yin and yang are concepts used to describe the balance between opposing forces in the body. Yin represents coolness, darkness, and calmness, while yang represents warmth, brightness, and activity. In TCM, headaches may be viewed as an imbalance between yin and yang energies.

Given this perspective, honey is considered a yin-nourishing food in TCM. It is believed to have cooling properties that can help balance excess yang energy in the body. Therefore, the client who believes in the concept of yin and yang may choose honey to treat their headache, aiming to restore balance by reducing yang energy.

B. Fresh vegetables: While fresh vegetables are generally considered healthy and nutritious, they do not have specific associations with yin or yang energies in TCM. Therefore, the client may not necessarily choose fresh vegetables to address a headache based on the yin-yang concept.

C. Chicken: Chicken is a neutral food in TCM and is not specifically associated with either yin or yang energies. Therefore, the client may not necessarily choose chicken to address a headache based on the yin-yang concept.

D. Chili peppers: Chili peppers are considered yang-warming foods in TCM due to their spicy nature. They are believed to increase yang energy in the body. Therefore, the client who believes in the concept of yin and yang may not choose chili peppers to treat their headache, as it may exacerbate yang energy rather than balance it.

A. Read the medication label twice prior to administration.

This action is crucial to ensure that the nurse correctly identifies the medication and verifies the dosage before administering it to the patient. By double-checking the medication label, the nurse can confirm that they have the right medication, in the correct dose, for the correct patient, and via the correct route. This practice helps prevent medication errors and promotes patient safety.

B. Use one patient identifier prior to medication administration.

Explanation: Using at least one patient identifier, such as the patient's name or date of birth, is a standard safety practice to confirm the patient's identity before administering any medication. This helps ensure that the medication is given to the right patient, reducing the risk of administering medications to the wrong individual.

C. Access the online drug formulary for an unfamiliar medication.

Explanation: While it's essential to be knowledgeable about medications, relying solely on an online drug formulary for unfamiliar medications may not be sufficient for safe administration. Online resources can provide valuable information, but they should supplement, not replace, comprehensive education and understanding of medications. Nurses should have a solid understanding of the medications they administer and consult additional resources as needed.

D. Ask the client if they have ever taken a similar medication.

Explanation: While it's important to gather information from the patient about their medical history and previous experiences with medications, solely relying on the patient's response may not be sufficient for ensuring safe medication administration. Patients may not always accurately recall or provide complete information about their medication history. Nurses should verify medication orders through appropriate channels and rely on documented medical records whenever possible to confirm medication history and suitability for administration.