If a patient opts for an herbal supplement over a prescribed medication, what would be the nurse’s best response?

“Herbal supplements are derived from plant materials, hence they are organic and non-toxic.”

“Herbal supplements are generally less costly than prescription medications.”

“Herbal supplements are not subject to the same stringent quality standards as prescription medications.”

“The convenience of herbal supplements is that they can be procured without a prescription.”

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale:

Inaccurate statement: While herbal supplements are derived from plant materials, this does not inherently guarantee their safety or non-toxicity. Some plants contain potent compounds that can have adverse effects, even in small doses.

Lack of regulation: Herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the same way as prescription medications. This means that there is no guarantee of their purity, potency, or consistency.

Potential for interactions: Herbal supplements can interact with prescription medications, potentially leading to harmful side effects.

Choice B rationale:

Cost-related issue: The cost of herbal supplements can vary widely. While some may be less expensive than prescription medications, others can be quite costly.

Misleading focus: Emphasizing cost as a primary factor could lead patients to prioritize affordability over safety and effectiveness.

Choice C rationale:

Addresses quality concerns: This response directly addresses the lack of stringent quality standards for herbal supplements, highlighting a significant safety concern.

Encourages informed decision-making: This response encourages patients to carefully consider the potential risks and benefits of herbal supplements, prompting them to seek reliable information and discuss their choices with healthcare providers.

Choice D rationale:

Convenience vs. safety: While the convenience of herbal supplements may be appealing, this response does not address the potential safety concerns associated with their use.

Potential for misuse: Highlighting convenience could lead to patients using herbal supplements inappropriately or without necessary guidance from healthcare professionals.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

A patient's last bowel movement being 4 days ago does not directly increase their risk of pulmonary embolism (PE). While constipation can be a risk factor for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to PE, it is not a significant risk factor on its own.

It's important to assess for other risk factors for DVT, such as immobility, recent surgery, or a history of blood clots, in conjunction with constipation.

Choice C rationale:

A platelet count of 45,000/mm^3 is low (thrombocytopenia), but it does not directly increase the risk of PE.

In fact, a low platelet count can sometimes hinder clot formation. However, it's important to monitor patients with thrombocytopenia for bleeding risks, as they may be more prone to bleeding complications.

Choice D rationale:

While receiving a transfusion of two units of packed red blood cells can increase blood viscosity, which could theoretically slightly increase the risk of PE, it is not a major risk factor.

Patients who receive transfusions are often already at an elevated risk of PE due to other underlying conditions or surgeries. It's essential to assess for other risk factors in these patients.

A. The patient is experiencing a moderate allergic reaction and should improve shortly. B. These symptoms are probably due to food poisoning because very few patients have true allergic responses. C. The patient is having an anaphylactic reaction and emergency interventions should be started. D. The patient is having a mild reaction that can be treated easily with an antihistamine.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Rationale for Choice A:

Incorrect. While the patient is experiencing an allergic reaction, it is not moderate. The presence of difficulty breathing and a drop in blood pressure are signs of a severe, life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.

Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapid-onset allergic reaction that can lead to death if not treated promptly. It typically involves multiple body systems, including the skin, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and gastrointestinal system.

Moderate allergic reactions typically present with localized symptoms such as hives, itching, and redness. They do not typically involve respiratory or cardiovascular compromise.

Rationale for Choice B:

Incorrect. The patient's symptoms are not consistent with food poisoning. Food poisoning typically causes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. It does not typically cause hives, difficulty breathing, or a drop in blood pressure.

The timing of the symptoms, occurring 2 hours after receiving an antibiotic, strongly suggests an allergic reaction to the medication.

Rationale for Choice C:

Correct. The patient's symptoms are consistent with anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate emergency treatment.

Key features of anaphylaxis include:

Skin involvement (hives, itching, flushing, swelling)

Respiratory distress (difficulty breathing, wheezing, tightness in the chest) Cardiovascular compromise (drop in blood pressure, lightheadedness, fainting) Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)

Swelling of the tongue or throat

Rationale for Choice D:

Incorrect. The patient's reaction is not mild and cannot be treated with an antihistamine alone. Antihistamines are effective for mild allergic reactions, but they are not sufficient to treat anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis requires immediate treatment with epinephrine, which is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of the allergic reaction.

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If a patient opts for an herbal supplement over a prescribed medication, what would be the nurse’s best response?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which assessment finding indicates that the patient is at high risk for development of pulmonary embolism?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse notes that the patient is scratching and has hives 2 hours after receiving a dose of antibiotic medication.The patient soon starts having difficulty breathing and his blood pressure drops. What is the correct analysis of the patient’s condition?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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