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:

Accepted Answer

Applying heat to the acupoints is termed 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?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with Alzheimer's often have low levels of vitamin B₁₂; thus, large doses of folic acid may have masked the 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?

Accepted Answer

The drug reserpine is derived from the plant known as Rauwolfia serpentina. It was used to treat depression in the past but currently is used in the treatment of hypertension.

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?

Accepted Answer

Tai chi improves coordination, thereby reducing the number of falls and improving gait.

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:

Accepted Answer

Chiropractic medicine is performed by a licensed professional with reimbursement privileges and is an accepted complementary alternative medicine (CAM) therapy.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Atropine is derived from the Atropa belladonna plant; it primarily affects the parasympathetic nervous system.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Individuals practicing Ayurveda may use detoxification and cleaning enemas resulting in dehydration, which increases stool osmolality.

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:

Accepted Answer

The chiropractor corrects misalignments of the spine, called subluxations, by putting pressure on the nerves that are causing pain.

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?

Accepted Answer

The effect of magnets on fetal growth has not been determined.

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?

Accepted Answer

Health and healing are related to a harmony of mind, body, and spirit.

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:

Accepted Answer

The Law of Cure states a worsening of symptoms after a remedy is given is considered a positive sign that healing is taking place. The therapy is therapeutic and should be considered.

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:

Accepted Answer

Ginkgo reduces the efficacy of anticonvulsants, which may lead to increased seizure activity.

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:

Accepted Answer

Excessive calcium places individuals at risk for renal stone.

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?

Accepted Answer

Both imagery and relaxation are used to reduce anxiety and stress; however, imagery begins with a goal that is to be achieved and a picture that is formulated by the person under treatment, rather than beginning with the hypnotist, who conjures up a desirable image.

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)?

Accepted Answer

Biofeedback is a type of mind-body intervention that is based on techniques in which the client is taught to alter specific bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension. The client uses various relaxation and imagery exercises to produce desired responses.

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:

Accepted Answer

Aromatherapy uses scents of essential oils and is a type of mind-body interaction.

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:

Accepted Answer

The Alexander technique teaches improved balance, posture, and coordination through gentle hands-on guidance and verbal instruction.

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)?

Accepted Answer

St. John's wort may cause photosensitivity.

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:

Accepted Answer

Reflexology produces pain relief through pressure applied to pressure points on the hands and feet that correspond to various parts of the body.

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:

Accepted Answer

Feverfew has the potential to cause the uterus to contact, increasing the risk for miscarriage or premature delivery.

Quiz 11: Complementary and Alternative Healing