Question 1

Which of the following statements reflect current attitudes toward complementary and alternative therapies? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Rationale: Some health insurance companies and health maintenance organizations (HMOs)appear to be bowing to public pressure by including providers of alternative therapies in their networks of providers for treatments such as acupuncture and massage therapy.Chiropractic care has been covered by some third-party payers for many years.Interest in holistic health care is increasing worldwide.A large number of U.S.medical schools-among them Harvard,Yale,Johns Hopkins,and Georgetown Universities-now offer coursework in holistic methods.The American Medical Association encourages its members to become better informed regarding the practices and techniques of alternative or unconventional medicine.

Question 2

A client who prefers to use St.John's wort and psychotherapy in lieu of antidepressant therapy asks for tips on using herbal remedies.Which of the following teaching points should a nurse provide? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Rationale: When educating a client on the use of herbal remedies,the nurse should advise the client to select a reputable brand.The nurse should also advise the client to monitor for adverse reactions and to take the recommended dose,because increasing the dose does not lead to improved effectiveness.Herbal remedies are classified as dietary supplements by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)and,therefore,they are not subject to FDA approval and lack uniform standards of quality control.

Question 3

A client inquires about the practice of therapeutic touch.Which nursing response best explains the goal of this therapy?

Accepted Answer

Rationale: The nurse should explain that the goal of the practice of therapeutic touch is to re-pattern the body's energy field by the use of rhythmic hand motions.Therapeutic touch is based on the philosophy that the human body projects fields of energy that become blocked when pain or illness occurs.Therapeutic touch practitioners use this method to correct the blockages and relieve discomfort and improve health.

Question 4

A lethargic client is diagnosed with major depressive disorder.After taking antidepressant therapy for 6 weeks,the client's symptoms have not resolved.Which nutritional deficiency should a nurse identify as potentially contributing to the client's symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Rationale: The nurse should identify that an iron deficiency could contribute to depression.Iron deficiencies can result in feelings of chronic fatigue.Iron should be consumed by eating meat,fish,green leafy vegetables,nuts,eggs,and enriched bread and pasta.

Question 5

A client with chronic lower back pain says,"My nurse practitioner told me that acupuncture may enhance the effect of the medications and physical therapy prescribed." What type of therapy is the nurse practitioner recommending?

Accepted Answer

Rationale: The nurse practitioner is recommending a type of complementary therapy.Acupuncture is a healing technique based on ancient Chinese philosophies that has gained wide acceptance in the United States by both patients and physicians.

Question 6

Which of the following practices should a nurse describe to a client as being incorporated during yoga therapy? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Rationale: Yoga therapy involves deep breathing,balanced body postures,and meditation.The objective of yoga is to integrate the physical,mental,and spiritual energies to enhance health and well-being.

Question 7

A client diagnosed with chronic migraine headaches is considering acupuncture.The client asks a clinic nurse,"How does this treatment work?" Which is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Rationale: The most appropriate response by the nurse is to educate the client on the medical philosophy that acupuncture stimulates the body's release of endorphins.Acupuncture has been found to be effective in the treatment of asthma,insomnia,anxiety,depression,and many other conditions.

Question 8

A nursing instructor is teaching about complementary therapies.Which student statement indicates that learning has occurred?

Accepted Answer

Rationale: The nurse should understand that complementary therapies view a person as a combination of multiple,integrated elements.A complementary therapy is an intervention that is used in conjunction with,but is different from,traditional medicine.

Question 9

A client inquires about pet therapy.Which of the following nursing responses provides the client with accurate information? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Rationale: Pet therapy has been found to decrease blood pressure,enhance client mood,and mitigate the effects of loneliness.Evidence has shown that animals can directly influence a person's mental and physical well-being.

Question 10

Which of the following are included in the U.S.Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services guidelines to promote health and prevent disease.(Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Rationale: The U.S.Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services guidelines to promote health and prevent disease include,but are not limited to,the following: Increase physical activity and reduce time spent in sedentary behaviors.Consume less than 10 percent of calories from saturated fatty acids.Limit alcohol consumption to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.Control total calorie intake to manage body weight.For people who are overweight or obese,this will mean consuming fewer calories from foods and beverages.There is no specific daily calorie limit recommended.Reduce daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg,not 3,000 mg,and further reduce intake to 1,500 mg among persons who are 51 and older and those of any age who are African American or have hypertension,diabetes,or chronic kidney disease.

Question 11

Alternative approaches refer to interventions that are used instead of conventional treatment.A client asks a nurse to explain the difference between alternative and complementary medicine.Which is an appropriate nursing response?

Accepted Answer

Rationale: The nurse should explain to the client that complementary therapies partner alternative approaches with traditional medicine.More than $33 billion a year is spent on complementary and alternative therapies.

Question 12

A nursing student,having no knowledge of alternative treatments,states,"Aren't these therapies 'bogus' and,like a fad,will eventually fade away?" Which is an accurate nursing response?

Accepted Answer

Rationale: The nurse is accurate when comparing complementary therapies to the holistic approach of nursing.The complementary therapies,as well as nursing process,view the person as consisting of multiple,integrated elements.Diagnostic measures are not based on one aspect,but include a holistic assessment of the person.

Question 13

A client reports taking St.John's wort for major depressive episode.The client states,"I'm taking the recommended dose,but it seems like if two capsules are good,four would be better!" Which is an appropriate nursing response?

Accepted Answer

Rationale: The nurse should advise the client that increasing the amount of herbal preparations can lead to overdose and toxicity.The use of herbal medicines,such as St.John's wort,should be approached with caution and responsibility.This herb is generally recognized as safe when taken at recommended dosages (900 mg/day).

Question 14

Interventions that are different from,but used in conjunction with,traditional or conventional medical treatment are termed _____________________ medicine.

Accepted Answer

Rationale: Interventions that are different from,but used in conjunction with,traditional or conventional medical treatment are termed complementary medicine.Some individuals do not completely abandon conventional medicine for alternative therapies.Instead,they may choose to complement the conventional methods with the addition of alternative strategies.

Question 15

A nurse teaches a client about alternative therapies for back pain.When a practitioner corrects subluxation by manipulating the vertebrae of the spinal column,what therapy is the practitioner employing?

Accepted Answer

Rationale: Chiropractic therapy involves the correction of subluxations by manipulating the vertebrae of the spinal column.The theory behind chiropractic medicine is that energy flows from the brain to all parts of the body through the spinal cord and spinal nerves.

Question 16

Herbs and plants can be useful in treating a variety of conditions.Which treatment should a nurse determine is appropriate for a client experiencing frequent migraine headaches?

Accepted Answer

Rationale: The nurse should determine that the appropriate treatment for a client experiencing frequent migraine headaches is the herb feverfew.Feverfew is effective in either fresh leaf or freeze-dried form.It is considered to be safe in reasonable doses.

Quiz 12: Complementary and Psychosocial Therapies