The nurse is admitting a patient onto a medical-surgical care area. Th

QUESTION

The nurse is admitting a patient onto a medical-surgical care area. The following information is available as part of the patient’s past medical history:

PMH: Diagnosed with heart failure in 2005; History of gastric ulcer disease; Treated in the past for GERD; Right hip replaced 2001; Left hip replaced 2004; History of elevated blood glucose levels, treated with diet adjustment.
Based upon this information, which herbal preparations should the nurse counsel the patient to avoid using? (Select all that apply.)
1. Garlic
2. Olive leaf
3. Vitamin C
4. Glucosamine
5. Black cohosh

ANSWER:

Correct Answer: 4, 5

Herbal products and supplements may interact with or potentiate certain prescribed medications. Glucosamine products contain sodium which might adversely affect the patient’s heart failure. Phytoestrogen black cohosh contains salicylates which might aggravate the patient’s history of gastric ulcer disease and GERD. There is no information to support that the patient should avoid taking garlic, olive leaf, or vitamin C.