Hesi Pharmacology exam 2
Hesi Pharmacology exam 2 ( 36 Questions)
A client who received a renal transplant three months ago is readmitted to the acute care unit with signs of graft rejection. While taking the client's history, the nurse determines that the client has been self-administering St. John's Wort, an herbal preparation, on the advice of a friend. Which information is most significant about this finding?
Ingestion of Wort can reduce the client's intake of sodium: This information is not directly related to the situation of a renal transplant and graft rejection. It is not the most significant finding regarding the use of St. John's Wort in this context.
Adding the herb decreases the need for corticosteroids: There is no evidence or indication that St. John's Wort can decrease the need for corticosteroids, especially in the context of a renal transplant and graft rejection.
While St. John's Wort is sometimes used as an herbal remedy for depression, the most significant information, in this case, is its potential to interact with cyclosporine and affect the client's immunosuppressive medication. The focus should be on the drug interaction and the risk it poses to the client's graft health, rather than the reason for using the herb.
The most significant information about the finding that the client has been self-administering St. John's Wort is that it can decrease plasma concentrations of cyclosporine. Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive medication commonly used after a renal transplant to prevent graft rejection. When St. John's Wort is taken concurrently with cyclosporine, it can induce certain liver enzymes responsible for drug metabolism, leading to a decreased concentration of cyclosporine in the bloodstream. This can potentially reduce the effectiveness of cyclosporine in preventing graft rejection, putting the client's transplanted kidney at risk.
Choice A rationale: Ingestion of Wort can reduce the client's intake of sodium: This information is not directly related to the situation of a renal transplant and graft rejection. It is not the most significant finding regarding the use of St. John's Wort in this context.
Choice B rationale: Adding the herb decreases the need for corticosteroids: There is no evidence or indication that St. John's Wort can decrease the need for corticosteroids, especially in the context of a renal transplant and graft rejection.
Choice C rationale: While St. John's Wort is sometimes used as an herbal remedy for depression, the most significant information, in this case, is its potential to interact with cyclosporine and affect the client's immunosuppressive medication. The focus should be on the drug interaction and the risk it poses to the client's graft health, rather than the reason for using the herb.
Choice D rationale: The most significant information about the finding that the client has been self-administering St. John's Wort is that it can decrease plasma concentrations of cyclosporine. Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive medication commonly used after a renal transplant to prevent graft rejection. When St. John's Wort is taken concurrently with cyclosporine, it can induce certain liver enzymes responsible for drug metabolism, leading to a decreased concentration of cyclosporine in the bloodstream. This can potentially reduce the effectiveness of cyclosporine in preventing graft rejection, putting the client's transplanted kidney at risk.