A patient reports, Last night I had several mixed drinks at a ...

[joe]

A patient reports, Last night I had several mixed drinks at a party. When I got home, I had difficulty falling sleep. I made two cups of herbal tea with valerian. This morning, I feel very groggy and have a headache. The nurse should explain that:
 
  a. valerian should be delayed at least 1 hour after using alcohol to avoid side effects.
  b. valerian may increase sedation from other central nervous system depressants.
  c. herbal teas often cause nervous system side effects such as headaches.
  d. these feelings are actually a hangover from excessive alcohol intake.

Question 2

A nurse plans health education for a patient who will be receiving warfarin (Coumadin) for several weeks after knee-replacement surgery. Which substance should the nurse caution the patient to avoid?
 
  a. Ginkgo biloba
  b. Black cohosh
  c. Valerian
  d. Kava

[Hdosisshsbshs]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Valerian has sedative properties that are potentiated when used in combination with other central nervous system depressants. Headaches are another possible side effect of this herbal medicine. The nurse should advise caution in ingesting alcohol and valerian for these reasons. Taking valerian an hour after alcohol will not prevent these interactions, and it is likely that the valerian played a role in her feeling perhaps worse than usual after this episode of drinking. Herbal teas cause headaches in some cases, but it is not characteristic of this group of herbal remedies.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Ginkgo biloba has anticoagulant effects and can cause bleeding in individuals using anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents. Black cohosh is an herbal treatment for hot flashes. Kava kava is considered to have analgesic properties but would not cause increased risk of bleeding. Valerian has calming, sleep-inducing effects.

[joe]

Excellent

[scottmt]

TYSM