Author Question: The nurse believes that a client from another cultural background is using herbal remedies along ... (Read 167 times)

sjones · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

The nurse believes that a client from another cultural background is using herbal remedies along with the prescribed medication to treat her arthritis. What should be the nurse's first action?

a. Tell the client that herbs will interfere with the prescribed medication.
b. Ask the client why additional remedies are being used.
c. Determine what herbs are being used and if there is any contraindication to the prescribed medication.
d. Contact the physician to alert him or her about the herbal remedies.

Question 2

The patient is an 80-year-old male who is visiting the clinic today for his routine physical examination. The patient's skin turgor is fair, but he has been complaining of fatigue and weakness.

The skin is warm and dry, pulse rate is 126 beats per minute, and urinary sodium level is slightly elevated. After assessment, the nurse should recommend that the patient a. Decrease his intake of milk and dairy products to decrease the risk of osteoporosis.
b. Drink more grapefruit juice to enhance vitamin C intake and medication absorption.
c. Drink more water to prevent further dehydration.
d. Eat more meat because meat is the only source of usable protein.

ebenov · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
Rather than dismissing this practice as dangerous and incompatible with Western medicine, the nurse should investigate further to find out what herbs are being used, and if they are contraindi-cated when taken with the prescribed medication.
The nurse may be making a false statement. Consultation and collaboration with herbalists can prevent unwarranted distress for the nurse and the client.
Asking the client why additional remedies are being used may make the client feel defensive. The nurse must first determine what herbs are being used.
Contacting the physician should not be the nurse's first action. The nurse should initially deter-mine what herbs are being used and their effectiveness.

Answer to Question 2

C
Thirst sensation diminishes, leading to inadequate fluid intake or dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration in older adults include confusion, weakness, hot dry skin, furrowed tongue, and high urinary sodium. Milk continues to be an important food for older woman and men, who need adequate calcium to protect against osteoporosis. After age 70, osteoporosis equally affects men and women. Caution older adults to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice because these will decrease absorption of many drugs. Some older adults avoid meats because of cost, or because they are difficult to chew. Cream soups and meat-based vegetable soups are nutrient-dense sources of protein.