chapter 10

Question 1

1. A good history of herb and supplement use is critical before prescribing because approximately ____ % of patients in the United States are using herbal products.
2. 10
3. 5
4. 38
5. 70

Answer 1

3. 38

Question 2

2. A potential harmful effect on patients who take some herbal medication is:
3. Constipation
4. Lead poisoning
5. Diarrhea
6. Life-threatening rash

Answer 2

2. Lead poisoning

Question 3

3. A thorough understanding of herbs is critical to patient safety. An example is the use of cinnamon to treat type II diabetes. It is important the patient uses Ceylon cinnamon, as the commercially available cassia cinnamon contains:
4. Coumadin, which may lead to bleeding problems
5. Coumarin, which can cause liver and kidney damage
6. Cinnamic aldehyde, which is toxic to the kidney
7. Cinnamate eugenol, which is toxic to the liver

Answer 3

2. Coumarin, which can cause liver and kidney damage

Question 4

4. Traditional Chinese medicine utilizes yin (cooling) versus yang (warming) in assessing and treating disease. Menopause is considered a time of imbalance, therefore the Chinese herbalist would prescribe:
5. Herbs which are yang in nature
6. Herbs that are yin in nature
7. Ginger
8. Golden seal

Answer 4

2. Herbs that are yin in nature

Question 5

5. According to traditional 5. Chinese medicine, if a person who has a fever is given a herb that is yang in nature, such as golden seal, the patient’s illness will:
6. Get worse
7. Get better
8. Not be adequately treated
9. Need additional herbs to treat the yang

Answer 5

1. Get worse

Question 6

6. In Ayurvedic medicine, treatment is based on the patient’s dominant dosha, which is referred to as the person’s:
7. Vata
8. Pitta
9. Kapha
10. Prakriti

Answer 6

4. Prakriti

Question 7

7. Herbs and supplements are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
8. True
9. False

Answer 7

2. False

Question 8

8. When melatonin is used to induce sleep, the recommendation is that the patient:
9. Take 10 mg 30 minutes before bed nightly
10. Take 1 to 5 mg 30 minutes before bed nightly
11. Not take melatonin more than three nights a week
12. Combine melatonin with zolpidem (Ambien) for the greatest impact on sleep

Answer 8

3. Not take melatonin more than three nights a week

Question 9

9. Valerian tea causes relaxation and can be used to help a patient fall asleep. Overdosage of valerian (more than 2.5 gm/dose) may lead to:
10. Cardiac disturbances
11. Central nervous system depression
12. Respiratory depression
13. Skin rashes

Answer 9

1. Cardiac disturbances

Question 10

The standard dosage of St John’s wort for the treatment of mild depression is:

1. 300 mg daily
2. 100 mg three times a day
3. 300 mg three times a day
4. 600 mg three times a day

Answer 10

3. 300 mg three times a day

Question 11

12. Ginseng, which is taken to assist with memory, may potentiate:
13. Aricept
14. Insulin
15. Digoxin
16. Propranolol

Answer 11

2. Insulin

Question 12

13. Licorice root is a common treatment for dyspepsia. Drug interactions with licorice include:
14. Antihypertensives, diuretics, and digoxin
15. Antidiarrheals, antihistamines, and omeprazole
16. Penicillin antibiotic class and benzodiazepines
17. None of the above

Answer 12

1. Antihypertensives, diuretics, and digoxin

Question 13

14. Patients should be warned about the overuse of topical wintergreen oil to treat muscle strains, as overapplication can lead to:
15. Respiratory depression
16. Cardiac disturbance
17. Salicylates poisoning
18. Life-threatening rashes

Answer 13

3. Salicylates poisoning

Question 14

15. The role of the NP in the use of herbal medication is to:
16. Maintain competence in the prescribing of common herbal remedies
17. Recommend common over-the-counter herbs to patients
18. Educate patients and guide them to appropriate sources of care
19. Encourage patients to not use herbal therapy due to the documented dangers

Answer 14

3. Educate patients and guide them to appropriate sources of care