Question

A patient is taking an antidepressant medication. The nurse discovers that the patient uses herbs. Which herb will cause the nurse to intervene?

a. Aloe
b. Garlic
c. Chamomile
d. Saw palmetto

Answer 1

The nurse should intervene if a patient using an antidepressant medication is also using chamomile, due to its potential to interact with the medication and increase the risk of bleeding or sedative effects.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering interactions between herbal supplements and antidepressant medication, the nurse should intervene if a patient is using chamomile. Chamomile can interact with antidepressants, particularly those that belong to the group of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), leading to an increased risk of bleeding or potentiate the sedative effect of the medication. Other herbs like aloe, garlic, and saw palmetto do not have as high a potential for serious interactions with antidepressants as does chamomile.