A nurse is taking care of a patient who has been on longstanding total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The provider orders the TPN to be discontinued. Shortly after the TPN is stopped, the patient becomes altered and combative. The nurse attributes the change in this patient to which condition?

The 68-year-old patient is admitted after 3 days of extremely foul-smelling watery diarrhea with a temperature of 37.8°C, heart rate 122 bpm, and blood pressure 96/50 mmHg. The patient’s recent medical history is significant for being treated 2 weeks ago for a diverticulitis flare-up. Upon assessment, the patient is pale, diaphoretic, and has a tense, distended abdomen that he does not guard with palpation. Lab studies reveal an elevated creatinine (1.9 mg/dL), high white blood cell count (20,000 cells/mL), and normal hemoglobin and hematocrit. Which medication does the nurse administer without further discussion with the provider? 

During a routine physical, the patient states, “I feel more comfortable taking herbal remedies than prescription medications for my high blood pressure.” Which response by the nurse is most important?