Question 1

Which of the following is a nonmainstream practice that is exclusive of mainstream health care?&#10;A) Alternative therapy&#10;B) Complementary therapy&#10;C) Integrative health approaches&#10;D) Complementary and alternative medicine

Accepted Answer

Alternative therapy is defined as a nonmainstream practice that is exclusive of mainstream health care. Complementary therapy is a nonmainstream practice that is used along with conventional medicine. Integrative health approaches combine conventional and complementary approaches in a coordinated way. Complementary and alternative medicine is a broad domain of resources that encompass health systems, modalities, and practices.

Question 2

Which of the following is considered a mind and body practice?&#10;A) Homeopathy&#10;B) Nutraceutical&#10;C) Guided imagery&#10;D) Chinese medicine

Accepted Answer

Guided imagery is a mind and body practice. Homeopathy and Chinese medicine are systems of care. Nutraceuticals are natural products used for health care.

Question 3

Why would a nurse ask a patient about the use of complementary therapies?&#10;A) To evaluate their effectiveness&#10;B) To determine if adverse effects may occur&#10;C) To eliminate the need to suggest their use&#10;D) To report the response to the health-care provider

Accepted Answer

A significant number of users of complementary and alternative therapies (CATs) do not tell their providers about these therapies. This suggests a potential for CAT to interact with prescribed medications and therapies, thus raising the risk for adverse outcomes. Asking about the use of CAT is not done to evaluate their effectiveness, eliminate the need to suggest their use, or to report the response to the health-care provider.

Question 4

Which therapeutic technique brings a conscious awareness to the assessment of the patient's body, mind, and spirit?&#10;A) Reiki&#10;B) Listening&#10;C) Presence&#10;D) Therapeutic touch

Accepted Answer

Authentic presence is healing and changes the nature of the nurse-patient relationship. Presence requires the practice of intentionality: bringing a conscious awareness to the assessment of the patient's body, mind, and spirit. Reiki is a type of mind and body therapy. Listening is a foundational practice in nursing. Therapeutic touch requires extensive instruction and credentialing.

Question 5

Why would a nurse suggest meditation to help a patient experiencing stress?&#10;A) Meditation helps reduce the use of medications.&#10;B) It is a practice that does not require physician approval.&#10;C) Stress plays a role in the development of many illnesses.&#10;D) It is an easy, independent intervention for the patient to learn.

Accepted Answer

Stress plays a role in the development, progression, or symptom exacerbation of many if not most human illnesses. Meditation has been found to reduce stress. It is not suggested because it reduces the use of medications or because it is a practice that does not require physician approval. Meditation is not suggested because it is an easy independent intervention for the patient to learn.

Question 6

Which complementary therapy is appropriate for almost all client populations?&#10;A) Yoga&#10;B) Meditation&#10;C) Massage therapy&#10;D) Vitamin supplements

Accepted Answer

Massage therapy is a broadly effective CAT that can improve quality of life, enhance physical functioning, and reduce stress. It is appropriate for almost all client populations. Yoga would not be appropriate for all client populations. Meditation would be helpful to control blood pressure and to manage stress. Vitamin supplements would be appropriate for patients who have nutritional deficits.

Question 7

Which of the following would the nurse categorize as an herbal medicine?&#10;A) Botanical&#10;B) Mycotherapy&#10;C) Mineral supplement&#10;D) Vitamin supplement

Accepted Answer

Botanicals are considered herbal medicines. Mycotherapy is considered a dietary supplement. Mineral and vitamin supplements are considered nutraceuticals.

Question 8

Which type of information would a nurse include when discussing the use of natural products with a patient?&#10;A) Natural products are always good.&#10;B) More of a natural product is not always better.&#10;C) Natural products do not interfere with prescribed medications.&#10;D) It is rare for a natural product not to be approved by a health-care provider.

Accepted Answer

Two principles are foundational to the use of natural products. First, what is natural is not always good; and second, if some is good, more is not necessarily better. Natural products can interfere with prescribed medications, and natural products should be discussed with the health-care provider so that the provider can be determine if they will interfere with other therapies.

Question 9

Which of the following was found to be the most effective strategy for reinforcing health promotion and disease prevention with the use of complementary and alternative therapies (CATs)?&#10;A) Time spent with the patient&#10;B) Group sessions&#10;C) Independent study&#10;D) Individual instruction

Accepted Answer

A study found that the most effective strategy in reinforcing health promotion and disease prevention was a greater number of patient contacts, or time spent with the patient. Group sessions, independent study, and individual instruction were not found to be the most effective strategies for reinforcing health promotion and disease prevention with the use of CAT.

Question 10

Which of the following is least likely to be a barrier to the use of complementary and alternative therapies (CATs)?&#10;A) Lack of interest&#10;B) Training about their use&#10;C) Questionable efficacy&#10;D) Minimal evidence base

Accepted Answer

Barriers to the use of CATs include lack of interest, lack of knowledge or a lack of belief in their efficacy, and a lack of an evidence base. Training about the use of CATs would help overcome barriers.

Deck 17: Use of Complementary Therapies for Health Promotion