Chapter 08: Over-the-Counter Drugs and Natural Health Products

Question 1

A 25-year-old woman is visiting the prenatal clinic and shares with the nurse her desire to go
“natural” with her pregnancy. She shows the nurse a list of natural health products that she
wishes to take so she can “avoid taking any drugs.” Which statement represents the nurse’s
best response?
a. Most natural health products are nontoxic and safe for use during pregnancy.
b. Please read the labels carefully before use, to check for cautionary warnings.
c. Products from different manufacturers are required to contain consistent amounts
of herbal constituents.
d. Natural health products are actually drugs of unproven safety and should not be
taken during pregnancy without medical supervision.

Answer 1

d. Natural health products are actually drugs of unproven safety and should not be
taken during pregnancy without medical supervision.

Question 2

The role of the Natural Health Products Directorate (NPHD) is to see that
a. natural health products are regulated for safety and quality.
b. natural health products are held to the same standards as drugs.
c. producers of natural health products prove the therapeutic efficacy of their
products.
d. natural health products are protected by patent laws.

Answer 2

a. natural health products are regulated for safety and quality.

Question 3

Which is a concern regarding the use of the natural health product kava?

a. Cancer risk
b. Liver toxicity
c. Cardiovascular incidents
d. Intestinal disorders

Answer 3

b. Liver toxicity

Question 4

A patient tells the nurse that she wants to begin taking St. John’s wort for treatment of
depression. The nurse should warn her about which substance that may cause an interaction
with St. John’s wort?
a. digoxin
b. All caffeine-containing products
c. Alcoholic beverages
d. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Answer 4

d. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Question 5

A patient says that he eats large amounts of garlic for its cardiovascular benefits. Which drug,
if taken, could have a potential interaction with the garlic?
a. acetaminophen
b. warfarin
c. digoxin
d. phenytoin

Answer 5

b. warfarin

Question 6

When teaching patients about over-the-counter (OTC) and natural health products, the nurse
should teach the patients that
a. histamine-blocking agents should be taken with antacids to prevent gastrointestinal
upset.
b. drug interactions are rare with OTC products because OTC drugs are safer than
prescription drugs.
c. manufacturers of natural health products are required to provide evidence of safety
and effectiveness; therefore, check the labels carefully.
d. natural health products and OTC drugs cannot be safely administered to infants,
children, and pregnant or lactating women without first checking with the health
care provider.

Answer 6

d. natural health products and OTC drugs cannot be safely administered to infants,
children, and pregnant or lactating women without first checking with the health
care provider.

Question 7

Patients from which culture will not report gastrointestinal symptoms caused by OTC drugs or
natural health products?
a. Chinese
b. Japanese
c. Hispanic
d. European

Answer 7

b. Japanese

Question 8

Which statement is true regarding the use of OTC drugs? (Select all that apply.)
a. Use of OTC drugs may delay treatment of more serious ailments.
b. Drug interactions with OTC medications are rare.
c. OTC drugs may relieve symptoms without addressing the cause of the problem.
d. OTC drugs are indicated for long-term treatment of conditions.
e. Patients may misunderstand product labels and misuse the drugs.
ANS: A, C, E

Answer 8

a. Use of OTC drugs may delay treatment of more serious ailments.
c. OTC drugs may relieve symptoms without addressing the cause of the problem.
e. Patients may misunderstand product labels and misuse the drugs.