Major Categories of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Major Categories of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is reviewing the medication list of a client who uses herbal supplements as biologically based therapies for various health conditions. The nurse should identify that which of the following herbal supplements may interact with the client's medications? (Select all that apply.)
Garlic, which may increase the risk of bleeding with anticoagulants. Garlic has antiplatelet and fibrinolytic effects that can potentiate the action of anticoagulants, such as warfarin, heparin, or aspirin²³. This can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. -
Ginseng, which may lower blood glucose levels with antidiabetic agents. Ginseng may have hypoglycemic effects that can enhance the action of antidiabetic agents, such as insulin, metformin, or sulfonylureas²³. This can increase the risk of hypoglycemia and its symptoms. -
Valerian, which may cause excessive sedation with benzodiazepines. Valerian has sedative and anxiolytic effects that can augment the action of benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, lorazepam, or alprazolam²³. This can increase the risk of excessive sedation, drowsiness, and impaired cognition. -
Chamomile, which may cause allergic reactions with penicillins. Chamomile may contain cross-reactive allergens that can trigger allergic reactions in patients who are allergic to penicillins, such as amoxicillin, ampicillin, or piperacillin²³. This can cause symptoms such as rash, itching, swelling, or anaphylaxis. -
Ginger, which may reduce nausea and vomiting with antiemetics. Ginger has antiemetic effects that can complement the action of antiemetics, such as ondansetron, metoclopramide, or promethazine²³. This can reduce the symptoms of nausea and vomiting caused by various conditions or treatments.
- Choice A reason: Garlic, which may increase the risk of bleeding with anticoagulants. Garlic has antiplatelet and fibrinolytic effects that can potentiate the action of anticoagulants, such as warfarin, heparin, or aspirin²³. This can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising.
- Choice B reason: Ginseng, which may lower blood glucose levels with antidiabetic agents. Ginseng may have hypoglycemic effects that can enhance the action of antidiabetic agents, such as insulin, metformin, or sulfonylureas²³. This can increase the risk of hypoglycemia and its symptoms.
- Choice C reason: Valerian, which may cause excessive sedation with benzodiazepines. Valerian has sedative and anxiolytic effects that can augment the action of benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, lorazepam, or alprazolam²³. This can increase the risk of excessive sedation, drowsiness, and impaired cognition.
- Choice D reason: Chamomile, which may cause allergic reactions with penicillins. Chamomile may contain cross-reactive allergens that can trigger allergic reactions in patients who are allergic to penicillins, such as amoxicillin, ampicillin, or piperacillin²³. This can cause symptoms such as rash, itching, swelling, or anaphylaxis.
- Choice E reason: Ginger, which may reduce nausea and vomiting with antiemetics. Ginger has antiemetic effects that can complement the action of antiemetics, such as ondansetron, metoclopramide, or promethazine²³. This can reduce the symptoms of nausea and vomiting caused by various conditions or treatments.