The patient informs the nurse before surgery that he has been advised by a friend to take garlic pills for his hypertension. The nurse should inform the physician because taking garlic may induce which of the following symptoms?

Question

a. It may prolong bleeding time.
b. It may cause severe hypotension.
c. It may cause nausea and vomiting.
d. It may cause depression.

Answer 1

A

Feedback
A Garlic lowers blood pressure and blood lipids, but it inhibits platelet aggregation and thus may prolong bleeding time. The physician needs to be notified before surgery to assess the patient for bleeding during the postoperative period.
B There is no evidence to suggest that garlic can cause severe hypotension in a hypertensive patient.
C Garlic is not known to cause nausea and vomiting.
D Garlic is not known to treat depression. St. John's wort is taken by patients experiencing depression.