A client with depression has been taking citalopram, an SSRI, for several months and has presented for a follow-up assessment. The client tells the nurse, "I've been reading a lot online about the benefits of St. John's wort for depression, so I've started taking it once per day." In addition to referring the client to the provider, what is the nurse's best response?
"There can be an unsafe reaction between your antidepressant and St. John's wort, which is why taking them both is discouraged."
"Herbal remedies often contain unknown doses of the desired ingredient, which can be dangerous."
"It's very important that you not take the St. John's wort at the same time of day as your antidepressant."
"It's very important that you comply with your prescribed treatment."
The Correct Answer is A
A. "There can be an unsafe reaction between your antidepressant and St. John's wort, which is why taking them both is discouraged." is correct; St. John's wort can reduce the effectiveness of SSRIs and may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, making it vital for the nurse to address this safety concern.
B. "Herbal remedies often contain unknown doses of the desired ingredient, which can be dangerous." is a valid point, but it does not specifically address the interaction with the client’s current medication.
C. "It's very important that you not take the St. John's wort at the same time of day as your antidepressant." is misleading; the concern is not just about timing but about taking both together at all.
D. "It's very important that you comply with your prescribed treatment." while true, this response does not directly address the specific risks associated with combining St. John's wort and citalopram.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Try not to swallow while the pill dissolves is correct because sublingual medications are designed to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes under the tongue, and swallowing may hinder this absorption.
B. Take a big drink of water and swallow the pill is incorrect because sublingual medications should not be swallowed with water as they need to dissolve under the tongue.
C. Swallow frequently to get the best benefit is incorrect, as this can interfere with the absorption of the medication.
D. Chew the pill so it will dissolve faster is incorrect since chewing may destroy the sublingual formulation, preventing it from working as intended.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Rebound hypertension can occur if antihypertensive medications are abruptly stopped, but it is not a direct reason for switching from an ACE inhibitor to an angiotensin II receptor blocker.
B. A persistent cough is a well-known side effect of ACE inhibitors due to the accumulation of bradykinin. If the client experienced this side effect, it would likely prompt the healthcare provider to switch to an angiotensin II receptor blocker, which does not typically cause this issue.
C. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) would require urgent intervention but is not a reason for changing from an ACE inhibitor to an angiotensin II receptor blocker.
D. Non-adherence to ACE inhibitor treatment may lead to ineffective blood pressure control but would not directly justify a switch to a different class of medication.