A patient is considering using herbal supplements and asks the nurse about them. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
A) "Herbal supplements are safe to use because they are regulated closely."
B) "Herbal supplements can affect the way other medications will act."
C) "Taking more than the recommended amount usually is not harmful because they are natural."
D) "The risk of the supplement interacting with any prescription medications is extremely low."
Ans: B
Feedback:
The nurse needs to explain to the patient that just because an herbal supplement is labeled "natural" does not mean the supplement is safe or without harmful effects. Herbal supplements can act the same way as drugs and can cause medical problems if not used correctly or if taken in large amounts. Herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so products lack standardization in relation to purity and potency. In addition, the patient should be warned not to take more than the recommended dose of any herbal health product or supplement. The problems that these products can cause are much more likely to occur if the patient takes too much or takes them for too long.
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