Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

Which beverage should the nurse assess a client for intake when the client is on multiple medications?

1. Apple juice

2. Grapefruit juice

3. Orange juice

4. Tomato juice

The correct answer is: Grapefruit juice

Grapefruit juice is known to interact with a variety of medications, which makes it important for a nurse to assess a client's intake of this beverage when the client is on multiple medications. The reason for this is that grapefruit juice can inhibit certain enzymes in the liver and intestines, specifically cytochrome P450 enzymes, which are responsible for the metabolism of many drugs. This inhibition can lead to increased blood levels of the medications, potentially resulting in adverse effects or toxicity. While other juices, like apple, orange, and tomato juice, have their own nutritional benefits and interactions but do not generally have the same significant impact on drug metabolism as grapefruit juice does. Therefore, it is crucial for healthcare providers to monitor the consumption of grapefruit juice in patients on certain medications to prevent any harmful interactions and ensure safety in medication management.