Alternative ATI practice questions

A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for sertraline. The client asks the nurse if he should continue to take St. John's wort for depression. Which of the following instructions should the nurse give the client? A. Take the medication and herbal supplement together. B. Stop taking the herbal supplement while taking the medication. C. Take the herbal supplement and the medication at least 2 hr apart. D. Take an antacid with both the herbal supplement and the medication.

Correct Answer: B. Stop taking the herbal supplement while taking the medication. Taking the antidepressant sertraline and the herbal supplement St. John's wort increases the client's risk of serotonin syndrome.

A nurse is caring for a client who takes Ginkgo biloba daily at home. Which of the following effects should the nurse expect from the use of this herbal supplement? A. Decreased platelet aggregation B. Prevention of migraine headaches C. Increased risk of deep-vein thrombosis D. Lowered cholesterol and triglyceride levels

Correct Answer: A. Decreased platelet aggregation Ginkgo biloba can decrease platelet aggregation by inhibiting the ability of platelets to clump together. The nurse and the client should discuss the potential increase in bleeding tendencies when taking Ginkgo biloba and other antiplatelet aggregates, such as NSAIDs and clopidogrel.

A nurse is performing a preoperative assessment of a client who is about to undergo an aneurysm clipping. The nurse should identify a risk for increased bleeding when the client reports taking which of the following dietary supplements? A. Soy B. Garlic C. Black cohosh D. Green Tea

Correct Answer: B. Garlic Many dietary supplements can affect clotting or interact with other medications that affect clotting, thereby increasing the client's risk of bleeding. Examples of these dietary supplements include garlic, ginger, and ginkgo biloba. The nurse should notify the provider immediately about this potential risk. Incorrect Answers: A. Many dietary supplements can affect clotting and increase the client's risk of bleeding, such as echinacea. However, soy does not affect the client's risk of bleeding. C. Black cohosh does not affect the client's risk of bleeding. D. Green tea does not affect the client's risk of bleeding.

A nurse is caring for a client who is pregnant and inquiring about alternative, non-pharmacological therapies for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP). Which of the following options should the nurse recommend? A. "Be sure to eat at least 3 large meals each day." B. "If you're experiencing nausea when you wake up, wait to eat until lunchtime." C. "You may need to take additional supplements to alleviate nausea." D. "Ginger is effective in the treatment of nausea and vomiting."

Correct Answer: D. "Ginger is effective in the treatment of nausea and vomiting." The nurse should recommend seasoning foods with ginger to alleviate the client's nausea and vomiting. Ginger is derived from the ginger root and is an alternative treatment to prescribed medication for treating nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

A nurse in a provider's office is assessing a client who reports taking a dietary supplement to reduce hot flashes related to menopause. Which of the following supplements should the nurse expect the client to report taking? A. Flaxseed B. Ginkgo biloba C. Black cohosh D. St. John's wort

Correct Answer: C. Black cohosh Black cohosh is an herb that is used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, irritability, and sleep disturbance.

A nurse is caring for a client who takes warfarin to treat chronic atrial fibrillation and has early manifestations of Alzheimer's disease. The client's partner asks the nurse if the client would benefit from taking ginkgo biloba. Which of the following responses should the nurse make? A. "Ginkgo biloba will likely interfere with the effectiveness of his other medications." B. "You should ask his provider if ginkgo biloba is safe." C. "Ginkgo biloba is most effective in the later stages of Alzheimer's disease." D. "People who have Alzheimer's disease should adhere to the medication regimen their provider prescribes."

Correct Answer: A. "Ginkgo biloba will likely interfere with the effectiveness of his other medications." Ginkgo biloba may delay the mental deterioration of Alzheimer's disease if taken in the early stages. Research has not demonstrated this, however. More importantly, ginkgo biloba increase the client's risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.

A nurse is assessing a client who reports using several herbal and vitamin supplements daily, including saw palmetto. The nurse should recognize that saw palmetto is a supplement used by clients to elicit which of the following therapeutic effects? A. Urinary health promotion B. Immune system stimulation C. Decreased leg pain from arterial disease D. Prevention of nausea caused by motion sickness

Correct Answer: A. Urinary health promotion Saw palmetto is used primarily for manifestations related to prostatic conditions such as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Its effectiveness has not been significantly verified, however. The nurse should instruct the client to check with the provider about interactions between saw palmetto and other medications.