Deck 11: Complementary and Alternative Healing

Question 1

A patient observes the practitioner burning a dried herb on the needle during an acupuncture session and asks about this practice. The practitioner responds, "I am inciting the acupuncture points and this is referred to as:

A) doshas."
B) moxibustion."
C) yoga."
D) kapha."

Answer 1

moxibustion."

Question 2

An older adult woman who stops using complementary alternative medicine (CAM) becomes disoriented and is given a diagnosis of dementia. The family is upset with the family physician and the CAM practitioner for not diagnosing the condition earlier. Which CAM may have interfered with early detection of the dementia?

A) Large doses of calcium caused cerebral plaques to form, thereby disguising atrophy of the brain.
B) Excess doses of folic acid masked a vitamin B₁₂ deficiency that led to dementia.
C) Hypnotherapy focused on current pleasant thoughts, eliminating clues to the past.
D) The electrical current from magnetic fields interfered with normal brain waves, resulting in confusion and inability to concentrate.

Answer 2

Excess doses of folic acid masked a vitamin B₁₂ deficiency that led to dementia.

Question 3

A patient is placed on reserpine (Serpalan) to decrease mild anxiety and treat hypertension. The patient researches the medication on the Internet and finds that this medication comes from which plant?

A) Atropa belladonna
B) Digitalis purpurea
C) Rauwolfia serpentina
D) Cephaelis ipecacuanha

Answer 3

Rauwolfia serpentina

Question 4

Despite the presence of safety aids such as handrails in the bathrooms at an assisted living facility, the number of fractures due to unsteady ambulation upon arising from the bed and when attempting to perform activities of daily living has increased. Which complementary alternative medicine (CAM) would be an effective intervention for this population?

A) Yoga
B) Acupuncture
C) Tai chi
D) Magnet therapy

Question 5

A young adult on a limited income who is having back pain states, "I want to see a chiropractor, but I don't have any money. However, I do have health insurance." The most appropriate response that the nurse can provide is:

A) "most insurance companies will pay for chiropractic treatment."
B) "because chiropractors are not licensed in any state, all services must be paid for by the patient."
C) "chiropractic medicine is a new CAM therapy that has not yet been recognized by insurance companies."
D) "chiropractic medicine is more than 100 years old, but because it is preventive in nature, it is not covered by most insurance."

Question 6

The use of plants in conventional modern medicine is evidenced by the drug atropine, which is derived from which plant?

A) Digitalis purpurea
B) Cephaelis ipecacuanha
C) Rauwolfia serpentina
D) Atropa belladonna

Question 7

The nurse caring for a patient who practices Ayurveda would assess for:

A) an increased stool osmolality gap resulting from dehydration.
B) petechiae resulting from fine-needle punctures.
C) use of over-the-counter remedies intended for intended symptom.
D) magnets strategically placed on affected joints.

Question 8

A patient with kyphosis is visiting a practitioner of chiropractic medicine for the first time and asks, "How does this therapy work?" The practitioner replies, "I will use my hands along with heat to correct the misalignment of your spine by placing pressure on the nerves that have produced pain. The misalignment of your spine is referred to as:

A) subluxation."
B) a sprain."
C) a fracture."
D) epicondylitis."

Question 9

A pregnant woman reports back pain and wants to try a complementary alternative medicine (CAM) therapy. The nurse knows that which CAM would be contraindicated?

A) Magnet therapy
B) Aromatherapy
C) Imagery
D) Therapeutic touch

Question 10

A patient states, "My cancer is in remission finally after all that chemotherapy, my friend used the same chemotherapy and wasn't so lucky. I want to continue participating in spiritual care and 'mind games' to keep my memory intact. I am also enrolled in Tai chi, but I just can't stop thinking about my sick lung." This patient adheres to which principle underlying alternative healing?

A) A negative alteration in the body produces a parallel effect on the mind and spirit.
B) The body can heal itself with the help of complementary alternative therapies.
C) Approaches to therapy are individualized.
D) There is a focus on the total lifestyle.

Question 11

A patient who is just beginning to use homeopathy to treat depression is concerned because symptoms are actually becoming worse with increasing sadness, anxiety, and fatigue. The practitioner of homeopathy bases teaching on the Law of Cure and instructs the patient to:

A) discontinue the therapy and seek another alternative therapy.
B) concentrate the preparation to increase its potency in hopes to improve depressive symptoms.
C) increase the dosage of the substance to increase its effectiveness.
D) remain on the current regimen since worsening is a positive sign that healing is occurring.

Question 12

A person who is recovering from a stroke is becoming more forgetful and is unable to recall people's names. A friend suggests the use of a natural ingredient, ginkgo biloba. The nurse is concerned about the most serious risk associated with this herb, which is:

A) thromboembolism due to increased clotting.
B) seizures due to interaction with anticonvulsants.
C) hypertension due to sodium retention.
D) photosensitivity due to increased melanin production.

Question 13

During an admission history and physical, a female patient states, "I use 5000 mg/day of calcium to prevent osteoporosis and to maintain health." The nurse should assess for:

A) excessive bleeding.
B) kidney stones.
C) lower blood sugar.
D) jaundice.

Question 14

The nurse who presents a class on different methods of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) differentiates between imagery and hypnosis in which of the following ways?

A) Imagery involves the dependent mental construction of a picture, whereas hypnosis requires the patient to recall and verbally describe difficult times in his or her life.
B) Hypnosis requires a trained psychologist, but imagery can be performed by any health care practitioner.
C) Imagery produces a temporary sense of well-being compared with hypnosis, which evokes a permanent positive effect.
D) Although both therapies focus on specific problems and guide the patient into relaxation, imagery requires the patient to formulate the impression, whereas the hypnotist constructs the image for the patient.

Question 15

An older adult has atrial fibrillation, which causes the heart to have an irregular rhythm. The client uses imagery to alter the dysrhythmia. The client is using which type of complementary alternative medicine (CAM)?

A) Ayurveda
B) Dosha
C) Homeopathy
D) Biofeedback

Question 16

A patient informs the nurse, "I burn a lavender-scented candle for an hour before bedtime to help me relax and sleep." The nurse realizes this patient is using:

A) the mind-body intervention of aromatherapy.
B) an energy technique known as qi gong.
C) the manipulative method using the Alexander technique.
D) conventional medicine, also called allopathic.

Question 17

The massage therapist uses kinesthesia, or thinking about how movement is expressed, to correct habits that cause poor posture and limited movement. This type of massage is called:

A) Alexander technique.
B) Feldenkrais method.
C) healing touch.
D) Reiki.

Question 18

A patient informs the nurse, "I can't sit in the yard for even 10 minutes without my skin turning red and tender." The nurse would assess for the use of which complementary alternative medicine (CAM)?

A) St. John's wort
B) Ginkgo biloba
C) Feverfew
D) Echinacea

Question 19

A nurse practices a relaxing massage technique to stimulate and apply pressure to the feet or hands, increasing blood supply circulation to various parts of the body and relieving pain. The massage technique used by the practitioner is referred to as:

A) reflexology.
B) Feldenkrais method.
C) Reiki.
D) Rolfing.

Question 20

A patient who is pregnant has used the herb feverfew for a history of migraine headaches. The nurse should provide teaching related to a risk for:

A) uterine contractions resulting in possible miscarriage.
B) reduced fetal growth.
C) insomnia.
D) tiredness the following day.

Question 21

A nurse investigates energy therapies and learns that which therapies would be included? (select all that apply)

A) Qi gong
B) Osteopathy
C) Imagery
D) Healing touch
E) Magnet therapy

Question 22

Complementary alternative medicine (CAM) is gaining popularity in Western society because: (select all that apply)

A) consumers want knowledgeable, trained physicians to control their care.
B) CAM consumers want personalized health care.
C) quantity, rather than quality, of life is most important in Western society.
D) consumers have access to evidence that support CAMs.
E) consumers want to remain indifferent to the health care provider.

Question 23

A patient who is interested in herbal medicine attends a seminar to learn more about complementary alternative medicine (CAM). The patient learns that a common belief related to all CAMs includes that: (select all that apply)

A) the body is not able to repair itself; thus, natural remedies are used to inhibit the immune system.
B) many different CAMs that focus on specific body parts and the mind are needed.
C) the focus of CAM is on an intervention for the diseased body part.
D) each CAM treatment is unique to the person who is being treated.
E) health promotion is incorporated into CAM.

Question 24

A patient experiences migraine headaches that are not relieved by traditional Western medical practices. The family physician suggests acupuncture, which: (select all that apply)

A) is based on the belief that meridians are vital for life, and when they are out of balance, pain occurs.
B) uses strategically placed, slender needles for pain relief.
C) uses breathing exercises and meditation to relieve pain.
D) corrects metabolic imbalance through purification regimens.
E) determines distinct metabolic body types.

Question 25

A patient has fallen at home and complains that joints are very painful when trying to climb stairs. The patient desires to use an alternative complementary medicine rather than pain medication. The practitioner begins treatment with touch consisting of rocking, rhythmical motions to loosen tense, sore muscles and joints. The patient is receiving which type of treatment?

A) Swedish massage
B) Rolfing
C) Trager approach
D) Reflexology