Chapter 19: Over-the-Counter Products, Herbal and Alternative Drugs, and
Vitamins and Minerals
Visovsky: Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. You are teaching a patient about taking over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Which
important safety information should you include in your teaching plan?
a. “OTC drugs will only maintain their potency months after the expiration date.”
b. “OTC drugs often interact with other drugs, and with food or alcohol”
c. “Be sure to take all the pills in the bottle.”
d. “Adjust the dosage to your specific needs.”
ANS: B
OTC drugs often interact with other drugs, and with food or alcohol, or they might affect
other existing health problems the patient has. Ask a pharmacist or the healthcare
provider if you are unsure. Also, the healthcare professional must be aware of all over-
the-counter drugs being taken because of the dangers of interaction.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p.346
2. A patient informs you that she is buying over-the-counter (OTC) drugs online
from Another country because they are cheaper. What is your best response?
a. “I agree with you, it is important to save money on expensive drugs
when you can.”
b. “There is no difference between generic OTC drugs from different countries.”
c. “Avoid buying OTC drugs online, as they may be counterfeit or dangerous.”
d. “Only buy OTC drugs online if your insurance company covers them.”
ANS: C
Patients should avoid buying these products online, outside of well-known Internet
insurance company sites, because many OTC preparations sold through the
Internet are counterfeit products and may be dangerous.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p.348
3. What information is important to include when teaching parents about giving over-
the-counter (OTC) drugs to children?
a. Do not give drugs containing alcohol to children.
b. OTC drugs are safe for children younger than 2 years of age.
c. When giving OTC drugs to a child, always give one-half of the adult dose.
d. Refrain from using a child-resistant cap in the event the drug must
be given quickly.
ANS: A
One of the most important considerations in reading OTC product labels is to notice
the hidden chemicals (used for various purposes) in the products. Drugs containing
alcohol (such as some cough preparations) should not be given to children.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p.348
This study source was downloaded by 100000817936687 from CourseHero.com on 04-13-2022 07:49:30 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/72568552/Chapter19Pharmacologydocx/
, 4. Which of the following drug types is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration?
a. Opioids
b. Vitamins
c. Hormones
d. Herbal supplements
ANS: D
The FDA does not regulate herbal supplements but protects consumers from
misleading health claims by the supplement industry.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p.349
5. During your assessment of a clinic patient, the patient asks you if using expired
over-the-counter (OTC) drugs would cause harm. What is your best answer?
a. “These drugs are safer than prescription drugs, so using expired OTC
drugs is harmless.”
b. “Disposing of expired drugs is only necessary if you have several drug allergies.”
c. “You should always safely dispose all expired or discolored drugs.”
d. “The chemical preservatives in OTC drugs prevent drug expiration.”
ANS: C
You should always tell patients to safely dispose of old, discolored, or expired
drugs or any drug that has lost its label instructions. Your pharmacist can tell you
about the ways to safely dispose of drugs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p.348
6. A patient with depression tells you she is using St. John’s wort to treat her
symptoms because she would rather use a natural product, as she already takes
many prescription drugs. What is your best response?
a. “St. John’s wort has been proven effective in treating mild to
moderate depression.”
b. “You may take St. John’s wort with your other prescription drugs
without concern.”
c. “Avoid taking St. John’s wort because it interferes with many prescription drugs.”
d. “Avoid using St. John’s wort unless you have weekly blood levels drawn.”
ANS: C
St. John’s wort may improve mild to moderate depression but has potentially
dangerous interactions with many prescription drugs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p.350
7. Which statement about multivitamins is true?
a. Most people will take multivitamins without consulting a healthcare professional.
b. Many multivitamins are used with prescription drugs to prevent disease.
c. Multivitamins are drug preparations that do not expire.
d. Multivitamins do not pose a risk for adverse effects.
ANS: A
This study source was downloaded by 100000817936687 from CourseHero.com on 04-13-2022 07:49:30 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/72568552/Chapter19Pharmacologydocx/
Vitamins and Minerals
Visovsky: Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. You are teaching a patient about taking over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Which
important safety information should you include in your teaching plan?
a. “OTC drugs will only maintain their potency months after the expiration date.”
b. “OTC drugs often interact with other drugs, and with food or alcohol”
c. “Be sure to take all the pills in the bottle.”
d. “Adjust the dosage to your specific needs.”
ANS: B
OTC drugs often interact with other drugs, and with food or alcohol, or they might affect
other existing health problems the patient has. Ask a pharmacist or the healthcare
provider if you are unsure. Also, the healthcare professional must be aware of all over-
the-counter drugs being taken because of the dangers of interaction.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p.346
2. A patient informs you that she is buying over-the-counter (OTC) drugs online
from Another country because they are cheaper. What is your best response?
a. “I agree with you, it is important to save money on expensive drugs
when you can.”
b. “There is no difference between generic OTC drugs from different countries.”
c. “Avoid buying OTC drugs online, as they may be counterfeit or dangerous.”
d. “Only buy OTC drugs online if your insurance company covers them.”
ANS: C
Patients should avoid buying these products online, outside of well-known Internet
insurance company sites, because many OTC preparations sold through the
Internet are counterfeit products and may be dangerous.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p.348
3. What information is important to include when teaching parents about giving over-
the-counter (OTC) drugs to children?
a. Do not give drugs containing alcohol to children.
b. OTC drugs are safe for children younger than 2 years of age.
c. When giving OTC drugs to a child, always give one-half of the adult dose.
d. Refrain from using a child-resistant cap in the event the drug must
be given quickly.
ANS: A
One of the most important considerations in reading OTC product labels is to notice
the hidden chemicals (used for various purposes) in the products. Drugs containing
alcohol (such as some cough preparations) should not be given to children.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p.348
This study source was downloaded by 100000817936687 from CourseHero.com on 04-13-2022 07:49:30 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/72568552/Chapter19Pharmacologydocx/
, 4. Which of the following drug types is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration?
a. Opioids
b. Vitamins
c. Hormones
d. Herbal supplements
ANS: D
The FDA does not regulate herbal supplements but protects consumers from
misleading health claims by the supplement industry.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p.349
5. During your assessment of a clinic patient, the patient asks you if using expired
over-the-counter (OTC) drugs would cause harm. What is your best answer?
a. “These drugs are safer than prescription drugs, so using expired OTC
drugs is harmless.”
b. “Disposing of expired drugs is only necessary if you have several drug allergies.”
c. “You should always safely dispose all expired or discolored drugs.”
d. “The chemical preservatives in OTC drugs prevent drug expiration.”
ANS: C
You should always tell patients to safely dispose of old, discolored, or expired
drugs or any drug that has lost its label instructions. Your pharmacist can tell you
about the ways to safely dispose of drugs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p.348
6. A patient with depression tells you she is using St. John’s wort to treat her
symptoms because she would rather use a natural product, as she already takes
many prescription drugs. What is your best response?
a. “St. John’s wort has been proven effective in treating mild to
moderate depression.”
b. “You may take St. John’s wort with your other prescription drugs
without concern.”
c. “Avoid taking St. John’s wort because it interferes with many prescription drugs.”
d. “Avoid using St. John’s wort unless you have weekly blood levels drawn.”
ANS: C
St. John’s wort may improve mild to moderate depression but has potentially
dangerous interactions with many prescription drugs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p.350
7. Which statement about multivitamins is true?
a. Most people will take multivitamins without consulting a healthcare professional.
b. Many multivitamins are used with prescription drugs to prevent disease.
c. Multivitamins are drug preparations that do not expire.
d. Multivitamins do not pose a risk for adverse effects.
ANS: A
This study source was downloaded by 100000817936687 from CourseHero.com on 04-13-2022 07:49:30 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/72568552/Chapter19Pharmacologydocx/
