Chapter 5 Herbal Therapies

Question 1

Dietary Supplements

Answer 1

Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA)
Ensure products are safe and label information is truthful and not misleading.

Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs)
Standards require package labels that declare quality and strength of contents and that product is without contaminants and impurities.

Question 2

Aloe Vera

Answer 2

Used to treat minor burns, insect bites, and sunburn
Powerful laxative
Menstrual flow is increased with small doses

Question 3

St. John’s wort

Answer 3

Used for mental disorders (mild depression), nerve pain, sleep disorders, malaria, wound healing.
Side effects include anxiety, dry mouth, dizziness, headache, fatigue, sensitivity to sunlight, GI problems, sexual dysfunction.
Drug interactions include serotonin syndrome when taken with other antidepressants (i.e., alprazolam).
Also interacts with digoxin and warfarin

Question 4

Tips for Herb Use

Answer 4

Do not take if taking prescription drugs without checking with heath care provider.
Do not take if pregnant.
Do not take if nursing.
Do not give herbs to infants/young children.
Do not take a large quantity of any herbal preparation.
Follow label instructions.
Discontinue if side effects are disturbing and contact health care provider

Question 5

Nursing Process

Answer 5

Assessment
-Obtain baseline of patient’s use of complementary and alternative therapies.
-Identify all prescription and OTC drugs.
Nursing diagnosis
Planning
Interventions
-Monitor patient’s response to prescription, OTC, and herbal therapies.
Cultural considerations
Evaluation