Progressive Care Nursing Certification (PCCN) Practice Exam

If a patient takes ginseng daily, what should a nurse assess for during the patient's admission?

1. Assessing for hypotension

2. Watching for bleeding

3. Analyzing blood lipid levels

4. Evaluation for depression

The correct answer is: Watching for bleeding

Ginseng is known to have effects on the body's coagulation system, particularly because it can inhibit platelet aggregation, increasing the potential for bleeding. This characteristic makes it crucial for nurses to assess for any signs of bleeding or related complications in patients who take ginseng daily. While hypotension can be a concern with some herbal supplements, it is not directly associated with ginseng. Blood lipid levels are generally not influenced by ginseng in a significant way, so routine analysis wouldn’t be a priority based on its use. Similarly, while ginseng has been studied for various effects, its relationship to depression does not warrant immediate evaluation upon admission when considering its more significant impact on bleeding risks. Therefore, the focus should be on monitoring for any signs of bleeding, making this the key area for assessment during the patient's admission.