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?

St. John’s Wort can decrease plasma concentrations of cyclosporine.

The client probably used this herb to treat depression.

Ingestion of St. John’s Wort can reduce the client’s intake of sodium.

Adding the herb can decrease the need for corticosteroids.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A Reason:

St. John’s Wort is known to significantly decrease the blood concentrations of cyclosporine, a critical immunosuppressant used to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients. This herb induces the activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes, particularly CYP3A4, which increases the metabolism of cyclosporine, leading to lower plasma levels and a higher risk of graft rejection. This interaction is highly significant and requires immediate attention to adjust the client’s medication regimen and prevent further complications.

Choice B Reason:

While it is true that St. John’s Wort is commonly used to treat depression, this information is not as significant in the context of graft rejection. The primary concern is the herb’s interaction with cyclosporine, which directly impacts the effectiveness of the immunosuppressive therapy. Understanding the reason for using the herb is important, but it does not address the immediate risk of graft rejection.

Choice C Reason:

There is no substantial evidence to suggest that ingestion of St. John’s Wort reduces sodium intake. This statement does not relate to the herb’s interaction with cyclosporine or its impact on graft rejection. Therefore, it is not a significant concern in this scenario.

Choice D Reason:

Adding St. John’s Wort does not decrease the need for corticosteroids. In fact, the herb’s interaction with cyclosporine can lead to inadequate immunosuppression, potentially increasing the need for additional medications to manage graft rejection. This statement is incorrect and does not address the critical issue of cyclosporine metabolism.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A Reason:

Taking the medications at least 12 hours apart does not address the interaction between erythromycin and oral contraceptives. Erythromycin can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives by increasing the metabolism of the hormones in the contraceptive, leading to a higher risk of unintended pregnancy. Therefore, simply spacing out the medications will not mitigate this risk.

Choice B Reason:

Stopping the oral contraceptive immediately is not advisable without consulting a healthcare provider. Abruptly discontinuing the contraceptive can lead to hormonal imbalances and unintended pregnancy. The primary concern with erythromycin is its potential to reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive, not that it necessitates stopping the contraceptive altogether.

Choice C Reason:

Using an additional form of contraception is the most appropriate advice. Erythromycin can interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, so using a backup method, such as condoms, is recommended to prevent unintended pregnancy. This ensures that the client remains protected while taking both medications.

Choice D Reason:

Avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight is not relevant to the interaction between erythromycin and oral contraceptives. While some medications can increase photosensitivity, this is not a primary concern with erythromycin in the context of contraceptive use.

A. Many of the herbal preparations are helpful primarily because of their placebo effect. B. Topical echinacea is usually used to soothe burns and can cause damage to the skin. C. Echinacea seems to be useful in the treatment of some infections, such as canker sores. D. This product is essentially harmless but also is not very beneficial in treating skin infections.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason:

While some herbal preparations may have a placebo effect, echinacea has been shown to have active properties that can aid in the treatment of infections. Echinacea contains compounds that boost the immune system and have anti-inflammatory effects, which can help in the healing process of canker sores.

Choice B reason:

Topical echinacea is not typically used to soothe burns, and there is no evidence to suggest it causes damage to the skin. In fact, echinacea is often used in topical preparations to treat skin conditions due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

Choice C reason:

Echinacea has been found to be useful in treating some infections, including canker sores. Its immune-boosting and wound-healing properties can help reduce the duration and severity of canker sores. This makes it a beneficial herbal remedy for such conditions.

Choice D reason:

While echinacea is generally considered safe and harmless, it is not accurate to say it is not beneficial in treating skin infections. Echinacea has been used traditionally to treat various skin conditions and infections due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client who is taking an oral contraceptive receives a new prescription for erythromycin. Which instruction should the nurse provide to the client?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The home health nurse observes that a female client is using a topical preparation that contains echinacea to treat a canker sore. Her husband expresses concern regarding the effectiveness and safety of using herbs. How should the nurse respond?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A male client receives a scopolamine transdermal patch 2 hours before surgery. Four hours after surgery, the client tells the nurse that he is experiencing pain and asks why the patch is not working. Which action should the nurse take?

A female client starts a new prescription, oxybutynin, for symptoms of an overactive bladder. The client tells the nurse that she is training to run in a half-marathon. Which instruction should the nurse emphasize?

The nurse observes that a client has become lethargic 30 minutes after receiving an opioid injection for pain. Which vital sign should the nurse obtain first?

A client who is taking dextroamphetamine-amphetamine extended-release tablets for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) reports having difficulty sleeping at night. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?

A client receives a prescription for ciprofloxacin 400 mg intravenously (IV) every 12 hours to be infused over an hour. The IV bag contains ciprofloxacin 400 mg in dextrose 5% in water (D5W) 200 mL. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many mL/hr? (Enter numerical value only.)

The nurse is assessing the eyes of a client who just received mydriatic eye drops. Which physiological function of the eye will not respond during the therapeutic period after administration of the eye drops?