Complementary/Alternative Therapies

Question 1

Saw palmetto use

Answer 1

Treat/prevent benign prostatic hypertrophy

Question 2

Saw palmetto side/adverse effects (2)

Answer 2

• Headache
• Altered platelet function

Question 3

Saw palmetto interactions

Answer 3

• Additive effect with anticoagulants

Question 4

Saw palmetto nursing interventions (2)

Answer 4

• 4-6 weeks to see results
• Stop before surgery

Question 5

Valerian root uses (3)

Answer 5

• Insomnia
• Migraines
• Menstrual cramps

Question 6

Valerian root side/adverse effects (3)

Answer 6

• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Nervousness with prolonged use

Question 7

Valerian root interaction

Answer 7

Additive effect with barbiturates, benzodiazepines

Question 8

Valerian root nursing interventions (3)

Answer 8

• Avoid driving, operating machinery
• Don’t use long term
• Stop 1 week before surgery

Question 9

St. John’s wort use (3)

Answer 9

• Depression
• Seasonal affective disorder
• Anxiety

Question 10

St. John’s wort side/adverse effects (4)

Answer 10

• Headache
• Sleep disturbances
• Phototoxicity with long term use
• Constipation

Question 11

St. John’s wort interactions (7)

Answer 11

• Oral contraceptives
• Cyclosporine
• Warfarin
• Reduced anti-retroviral effects
• Digoxin
• Calcium channel blockers
• Antidepressants

Question 12

St. John’s wort nursing interventions (3)

Answer 12

• Don’t take with any other medications
• Not to be used in severe depression
• Only be used under medical guidance

Question 13

Echinacea uses (3)

Answer 13

• Prevent/treat common cold
• Stimulates immune system
• Promote wound healing

Question 14

Echinacea interactions (2)

Answer 14

• Reduce effects of immunosuppressants
• Increase serum levels of alprazolam, calcium channel blockers, protease inhibitors

Question 15

Echinacea side/adverse effects (2)

Answer 15

• Fever
• Anaphylaxis

Question 16

Echinacea nursing intervention

Answer 16

• Long term use can lead to immunosuppression

Question 17

Garlic use (3)

Answer 17

• Blocks LDL, raises HDL, lowers triglycerides
• Suppresses platelet aggregation and disrupts coagulation
• Vasodilation

Question 18

Garlic interactions (2)

Answer 18

• Increased risk of bleeding in patients taking NSAIDS, warfarin, heparin
• Decreases levels of saquinavir, cyclosporine

Question 19

Garlic (2)

Answer 19

• Ask about NSAID, warfarin, heparin use
• Patients taking anti platelet, anticoagulants, cyclosporine, saquinavir talk to their provider before taking garlic as a supplement

Question 20

Ginger root use (8)

Answer 20

• Relieves vertigo, nausea
• Increase intestinal motility
• Increase gastric mucus production
• Decrease GI spasms
• Anti-inflammatory
• Suppresses platelet aggregation
• Treat morning sickness, motion sickness, nausea from surgery
• Decrease pain/stiffness from rheumatoid arthritis

Question 21

Ginger root interactions (3)

Answer 21

• Use caution in pregnant patients high doses can cause uterine contractions
• Interacts with NSAIDS, warfarin, heparin
• Increase hypoglycemic effects of diabetes

Question 22

Ginger root nursing interventions (2)

Answer 22

• Ask patients about NSAID, warfarin, heparin use
• Monitor for hypoglycemia in patients taking insulin and other diabetic medications

Question 23

Ginkgo biloba uses (2)

Answer 23

• Improve cerebral circulation to treat dementia and memory loss
• Decrease pain while walking in patients with PAD

Question 24

Ginkgo side/adverse effects (3)

Answer 24

• Dizziness
• Upset stomach
• Vertigo

Question 25

Ginkgo interactions (2)

Answer 25

- Increase effects of MAOIs, anticoagulants, anti platelet aggregates - Can reduce effectiveness of insulin

Question 26

Ginkgo nursing interventions (3)

Answer 26

- Stop 2 weeks before surgery - Can cause seizures with overdoses - Keep out of reach of kids

Question 27

Glucosamine uses (2)

Answer 27

- Relieves osteoarthritis - Promotes joint health

Question 28

Glucosamine side/adverse effects (2)

Answer 28

- Nausea - Heartburn

Question 29

Glucosamine interactions (2)

Answer 29

- Increase resistance to anti-diabetic medications and insulin - Increase risk of bleeding

Question 30

Glucosamine nursing interventions (4)

Answer 30

- Use cautiously in patients with a shellfish allergy - Monitor glucose frequently in diabetic patients - Allow extended time to see effects - Often used alongside chondroitin

Question 31

Omega 3 fatty acid uses (2)

Answer 31

- Improves hypertriglyceridemia - Helps maintain cardiac health

Question 32

Omega 3 fatty acid side/adverse effects (2)

Answer 32

- Nausea - Diarrhea

Question 33

Omega 3 fatty acid interaction

Answer 33

- Increase risk of vitamin A/D overdose

Question 34

Omega 3 fatty acid nursing interventions (2)

Answer 34

- Found in fish oils, nuts, veggie oils - Some fish contain methyl mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that can be harmful in large amounts especially in pregnant/nursing women

Question 35

Melatonin use

Answer 35

- Treat insomnia and jet lag

Question 36

Melatonin side/adverse effects (3)

Answer 36

- Morning grogginess - Lower body temperature - Vivid dreams

Question 37

Melatonin interactions (3)

Answer 37

- Beta blockers - Warfarin - Steroids

Question 38

Melatonin nursing intervention

Answer 38

- Not to be taken during pregnancy or lactating