Question 1

The nurse is caring for an individual who has been diagnosed with depression. The patient tells the nurse that, in addition to prescription antidepressants, the patient is practicing yoga and meditation. What type of CAM is the patient using?

Accepted Answer

2. Integrative medicine refers to a practice that combines both conventional and CAM treatments for which there is high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness. Yoga and meditation have been proven scientifically to help with the treatment of depression. Complementary medicine refers to the use of CAM in conjunction with conventional medicine. Alternative medicine refers to the use of CAM in place of conventional medicine. Allopathic medicine is traditional medicine.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient with mental illness who expresses an interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). When explaining the principles behind integrative medicine, what will the nurse tell the patient?

Accepted Answer

3. Integrative medicine is a practice that combines both conventional and CAM treatments for which there is high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness. Integrative medicine is not considered an experimental treatment. Alternative medicine uses CAM in place of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine uses CAM in conjunction with conventional medicine.

Question 3

A patient is taking fluoxetine (Prozac) and wonders if adding St. John's wort would help the patient's depression symptoms. The nurse provides the patient with information regarding which adverse effect that occurs when taking fluoxetine and St. John's wort in combination?

Accepted Answer

4. Fluoxetine (Prozac) is a selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used in the treatment of depression. SSRIs should not be combined with St. John's wort because too much serotonin presents a risk for serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition. Combining fluoxetine and St. John's wort does not necessarily cause gastrointestinal distress, mania, or worsen depressive symptoms.

Question 4

The nurse is caring for a patient with mental illness who expresses a desire to learn more about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). What will the nurse tell the patient about the difference between osteopathic and naturopathic medicine?

Accepted Answer

3. Osteopathy is a system of medicine that emphasizes the relationship between structure and function of the body; naturopathy aims to support the body's inherent ability to maintain and restore health, and prefers to use treatment approaches considered to be natural and the least invasive. Chiropractic is a hands-on therapy that focuses on the health and function of the spine and other body structures and their effect on health. Homeopathy stimulates the body's ability to heal itself by giving very small doses of highly diluted substances that in larger doses would produce symptoms or illness.

Question 5

The nurse is caring for a patient with schizophrenia who takes herbal supplements along with prescribed medication to treat the condition. What type of CAM is the patient utilizing?

Accepted Answer

4. Complementary medicine refers to the use of CAM in conjunction with conventional medicine. Alternative medicine refers to the use of CAM in place of conventional medicine. Allopathic medicine is traditional medicine. Integrative medicine refers to a practice that combines both conventional and CAM treatments for which there is high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness.

Question 6

The student nurse is learning about the various complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, which may be employed as collaborative treatment for the patient with mental illness. What will the student learn about the core concept of Ayurveda?

Accepted Answer

2. Ayurveda is one of the oldest systems of medicine, originating in India. Ayurveda aims to integrate the body, mind, and spirit to prevent and treat illness and may employ herbs, massage, meditation, diet, and lifestyle modifications. Biofeedback uses instruments measuring body functions and providing sensory feedback to train patients to voluntarily control certain bodily processes. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a medical system originating in China whose philosophy views the human body as a microcosm of the surrounding universe. Homeopathy seeks to stimulate the body's ability to heal itself by giving very small doses of highly diluted substance that, in larger doses, would produce symptoms or illness.

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a patient with insomnia who asks the nurse about possible complementary and alternative (CAM) practices which may help with the patient's disorder. What is the nurse's best response?

Accepted Answer

4. Mindfulness-based meditation has been shown to be effective in sleep-interfering cognitive processes. DHEA is a natural product used in the collaborative treatment of depression, not sleep-wake disorders. While acupuncture may relax the patient who is suffering from a sleep-wake disorder, this therapy has not been proven to be effective in the treatment of insomnia. While natural products are used in the collaborative treatment of sleep-wake disorders, these products are not proven to be more effective than mind and body therapies.

Question 8

The nurse is caring for a patient with mental illness who asks the nurse, "I have a friend who tells me that I should look into using complementary and alternative medicine to help treat my disease. What is that?" What is the nurse's best response?

Accepted Answer

2. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of traditional medicine. Some of the treatments used in CAM are considered evidence-based medicine. CAM treatments may be useful in treating mental illness; however, these treatments are generally not used extensively in the treatment of mental illness.

Question 9

The nurse refers a patient for acupuncture. What conditions has acupuncture been shown effective in treating? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

3. Acupuncture has been proven beneficial in the treatment of anxiety and depression. While acupuncture may help a patient with insomnia relax, it has not been proven effective in treating the disorder. Acupuncture has not been shown effective in the treatment of personality disorder or schizophrenia.
4. Acupuncture has been proven beneficial in the treatment of anxiety and depression. While acupuncture may help a patient with insomnia relax, it has not been proven effective in treating the disorder. Acupuncture has not been shown effective in the treatment of personality disorder or schizophrenia.

Question 10

The nurse is caring for a patient with mental illness who expresses interest in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). What main categories of CAM will the nurse include when providing education to the patient about CAM? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

1. The main categories of CAM are natural and mind and body practices. Allopathic is conventional medicine. Some may describe CAM treatments as non-traditional, alternative, and naturopathic; however, these terms are not the main categories of CAM.
4. The main categories of CAM are natural and mind and body practices. Allopathic is conventional medicine. Some may describe CAM treatments as non-traditional, alternative, and naturopathic; however, these terms are not the main categories of CAM.

Question 11

The nurse is caring for a patient with a circadian rhythm sleep disorder. The patient expresses a desire to try complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and the use of melatonin for the treatment of the condition. How does melatonin work for circadian rhythm sleep disorders?

Accepted Answer

2. Melatonin, a hormone found naturally in the body, is produced by the pineal gland, which regulates circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycles. As darkness falls, endogenous melatonin levels rise, sending signals to the body to sleep. Light reduces melatonin production and signals the body to awaken. When taken at night, melatonin may decrease the time it takes to fall asleep (sleep latency) in circadian rhythm sleep disorders, but it does not help the individual stay asleep. Though melatonin is produced by the pineal gland, taking a supplement of melatonin does not stimulate or suppress the pineal gland.

Question 12

The nurse is caring for a patient with a sleep disorder who tells the nurse that she is considering drinking chamomile tea at night in order to help her sleep. The nurse knows to provide patient education to avoid concurrent use of chamomile with which class of medication?

Accepted Answer

1. Chamomile may interact with anticoagulants. Chamomile does not interact with anticholinergics, antidepressants, or antiemetics.

Question 13

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?

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.

Question 14

The nurse is caring for an older adult patient with an anxiety disorder who expresses a desire to learn about the various complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies that may help treat the disorder. Which mind and body practices will be most likely to benefit this patient? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

3. Meditation, biofeedback, and progressive muscle relaxation are mind and body practices that have been shown effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Kava and DHEA are natural supplements, not mind and body practices.
4. Meditation, biofeedback, and progressive muscle relaxation are mind and body practices that have been shown effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Kava and DHEA are natural supplements, not mind and body practices.
5. Meditation, biofeedback, and progressive muscle relaxation are mind and body practices that have been shown effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Kava and DHEA are natural supplements, not mind and body practices.

Question 15

The nurse is caring for a patient with a sleep disorder who tells the nurse that he takes the supplement valerian to sleep at night. What clinical manifestation is most likely to be present due to the effects of this medication? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

1. Valerian is a natural product that may promote sedation and sleep. Potential adverse effects include headache, dizziness, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Renal toxicity is not associated with valerian. Hepatotoxicity may occur from the natural product Kava.
2. Valerian is a natural product that may promote sedation and sleep. Potential adverse effects include headache, dizziness, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Renal toxicity is not associated with valerian. Hepatotoxicity may occur from the natural product Kava.
5. Valerian is a natural product that may promote sedation and sleep. Potential adverse effects include headache, dizziness, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Renal toxicity is not associated with valerian. Hepatotoxicity may occur from the natural product Kava.

Question 16

The nurse is working in a facility that uses music as therapy. What is true regarding this therapy?

Accepted Answer

1. Music therapy is used for reducing anxiety in a variety of clinical settings. Listening to music may help reduce heart rate and blood pressure in patients with coronary heart disease. Music therapy has not been shown to decrease cholesterol and homocysteine levels in patients with coronary heart disease. Even though the music employed is usually calming, it is unclear which specific style or type of music, duration, and frequency are most effective.

Question 17

The nurse is caring for a patient with major depressive disorder (MDD) who is taking DHEA in addition to antidepressant medications. Which potential adverse effect will the nurse be most concerned about the patient developing?

Accepted Answer

3. In patients with mood disorders, large doses of DHEA may increase the risk of mania. DHEA has not been linked to suicidal ideation. Hypertension and hypoglycemia are not adverse effects of DHEA.

Question 18

A nurse is asked to provide a brief presentation comparing and contrasting the types of biologically based therapies. Which will the nurse include in the presentation? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

1. Two categories of CAM therapies include biologically based (natural), and mind and body practices. Biologically based therapies include supplements and herbal products. Naturopathic, homeopathic, and Ayurveda are categorized as mind and body practices of CAM.
2. Two categories of CAM therapies include biologically based (natural), and mind and body practices. Biologically based therapies include supplements and herbal products. Naturopathic, homeopathic, and Ayurveda are categorized as mind and body practices of CAM.

Question 19

The nurse is caring for a patient with depression. When obtaining the patient's current medication list, the nurse notes that the patient is taking St. John's wort. What additional class of medication would most concern the nurse if the patient reports taking a medication in that class?

Accepted Answer

2. The nurse would be most concerned about the patient taking an SSRI in conjunction with St. John's wort. Serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition, may occur if St. John's wort is used concomitantly with SSRIs. MAOIs, antipsychotics, and barbiturates do not cause potentially life-threatening conditions if taken concomitantly with SSRIs.

Question 20

The nurse is caring for a patient with an anxiety disorder. The patient asks that nurse, "Do you think complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) would help my condition?" Which factors will guide the nurse in helping the patient determine whether a CAM therapy may be beneficial? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

1. Assessment of the patient's current level of anxiety, history of use and success with CAM therapies, and current treatment regimen will guide the nurse in helping the patient determine whether a CAM therapy may be beneficial and will decrease the likelihood of any contraindications between CAM therapies and the patient's current treatment regimen. History of the patient's adherence to a treatment regimen is not necessary to guide the nurse in helping the patient determine whether a CAM therapy may be beneficial. The patient is asking the nurse about possible CAM therapy; therefore, it is not necessary to assess the patient's beliefs to determine whether a CAM therapy may be beneficial.
2. Assessment of the patient's current level of anxiety, history of use and success with CAM therapies, and current treatment regimen will guide the nurse in helping the patient determine whether a CAM therapy may be beneficial and will decrease the likelihood of any contraindications between CAM therapies and the patient's current treatment regimen. History of the patient's adherence to a treatment regimen is not necessary to guide the nurse in helping the patient determine whether a CAM therapy may be beneficial. The patient is asking the nurse about possible CAM therapy; therefore, it is not necessary to assess the patient's beliefs to determine whether a CAM therapy may be beneficial.
3. Assessment of the patient's current level of anxiety, history of use and success with CAM therapies, and current treatment regimen will guide the nurse in helping the patient determine whether a CAM therapy may be beneficial and will decrease the likelihood of any contraindications between CAM therapies and the patient's current treatment regimen. History of the patient's adherence to a treatment regimen is not necessary to guide the nurse in helping the patient determine whether a CAM therapy may be beneficial. The patient is asking the nurse about possible CAM therapy; therefore, it is not necessary to assess the patient's beliefs to determine whether a CAM therapy may be beneficial.

Quiz 22: Complementary and Alternative Therapies