The nurse is caring for a patient who expresses an interest in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for the treatment of anxiety. The patient asks the nurse about using Kava to treat his anxiety. What is the nurse's best response?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

3. Kava is a plant indigenous to the Pacific Islands, where it is used as a social beverage. Kava has anxiolytic properties and has been shown effective for short-term treatment of mild anxiety symptoms. Short-term treatment is indicated, in part because there is some evidence that prolonged use increases risk for hepatotoxicity.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Expresses an Interest