Deck 36: Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Question 1

The client asks the nurse about different herbal therapies that may promote physical endurance and reduce stress.Based on the client's request,the nurse provides information on:
1) Ginseng
2) Ginger
3) Echinacea
4) Chamomile

Answer 1

1
Ginseng is believed to have an effect of increased physical endurance,balancing of the body,and increasing resistance to stress.Ginger is known for its effect as an antiemetic.Echinacea is known for stimulation of the immune system and as an antiinflammatory and antibacterial agent.Chamomile is believed to have an antiinflammatory,antispasmodic,and antiinfective effect.

Question 2

A client at the clinic informs the nurse during an examination that he has been taking chaparral as an anticancer agent.The client asks if there is any reason why this remedy should not be taken.The nurse responds accurately when telling the client that chaparral:
1) Should not be taken with coffee or other caffeinated beverages
2) May induce veno-occlusive disease
3) Contains a carcinogenic substance
4) Is associated with liver toxicity

Answer 2

4
Chaparral is an herb used for an anticancer effect.It has no proven efficacy and may induce severe liver toxicity.There are no contraindications for taking chaparral with coffee or other caffeinated beverages.Ephedra should be avoided with the consumption of caffeine.Chaparral does not induce veno-occlusive disease.However,comfrey may do so.Chaparral is not known to contain a carcinogenic substance.Sassafras and calamus may contain a carcinogenic substance.

Question 3

A client diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes shares with the nurse that he has been using meditation to deal with the chronic pain he experiences from an old back injury.Which of the following questions shows the best understanding of the effects of meditation on the client's systemic functions?
1) "How many times a day do you meditate?"
2) "Have you monitored your blood pressure lately?"
3) "Have you had any improvement with your pain?"
4) "Are you currently taking blood pressure medication?"

Answer 3

4
Meditation may increase the effects of certain drugs.For example,monitor individuals taking antihypertensive medications or thyroid-regulating,antidepressant,or antianxiety medications.Prolonged practice of meditation techniques sometimes leads to the reduced need for certain medications such as antihypertensive medications.Whatever the case,monitor individuals learning meditation closely for physiological changes with respect to their medications.Adjustment of the medication is sometimes necessary.While the remaining options are not inappropriate,they do not assess the primary issue regarding medication.

Question 4

Which of the following statements,made by a client experiencing anxiety who practices relaxation techniques regularly,requires follow-up by the nurse?
1) "I want to share this with my sister;her life is stressful,too."
2) "Relaxation gives me a sense of being in control of my anxiety."
3) "Relaxation helps me feel less physically tense so my blood pressure is lower."
4) "If I practice relaxation techniques often enough,I won't need my antianxiety medication anymore."

Question 5

In selecting an appropriate alternative therapy,the nurse knows that the client who has Raynaud's disease with intermittent peripheral ischemia may benefit the most from:
1) Relaxation therapy
2) Imagery
3) Biofeedback
4) Acupuncture

Question 6

Which of the following clients is most likely to experience the best response from a complementary therapy?
1) A 5-year-old receiving a painful injection
2) A 35-year-old having a diagnostic spinal tap
3) A 55-year-old being catheterized post surgery
4) A 15-year-old being casted for a wrist fracture

Question 7

The client asks "Is there anything else we can do to help control my pain?" The nurse's most informed suggestion concerning complementary therapies is:
1) "Massage therapy may help you;it certainly helped me."
2) "Most complementary therapies will help decrease your pain."
3) "Have you ever thought about seeing a chiropractor? Manipulation often helps decrease pain."
4) "Acupressure uses appropriately applied pressure to specific body points,thus decreasing pain."

Question 8

A nurse needs to be alert to possible negative responses to biobehavioral therapies.Clients who have reacted negatively have most often experienced:
1) Aggressive behaviors
2) Delusions
3) Insomnia
4) Loss-of-control sensations

Question 9

Research currently identifies which of the following as the primary reason nurses do not use complementary therapies?
1) Workloads prevent routine implementation
2) Client reluctance to participate appropriately
3) General bias regarding effects of the therapies
4) Lack of education regarding their appropriate uses

Question 10

A practitioner or client who uses traditional Chinese medicine bases the therapy on the primary concept of:
1) Yin/yang
2) Meridians
3) Six evil senses
4) Acupoints

Question 11

During the admission history,the client informs the nurse that she follows a macrobiotic diet.The nurse knows that the client's diet includes:
1) Increased meats and other proteins
2) A 30%/40%/30% protein/carbohydrate/fat ratio
3) Increased intake of vitamin C and beta-carotene
4) Whole grains,vegetables,and fish

Question 12

A client is dealing with chronic pain.The nurse suggests implementation of relaxation techniques.The nurse's most informed response to the client's question "How is relaxing going to help my pain?" would be:
1) "What have you got to lose? It could certainly help."
2) "It will increase the effectiveness of the pain medication you're taking."
3) "Relaxing has been very helpful for people,especially those in severe pain."
4) "Relaxing your muscles is a better way for your body to respond to the pain."

Question 13

In selecting an appropriate alternative therapy,the nurse knows that the client who may benefit the most from the passive type of relaxation is one who is experiencing:
1) Hypertension
2) Terminal cancer
3) Work-related stress
4) Dysfunctional grieving

Question 14

The nurse's most informed response to the client's question "What is a complementary therapy?" would be:
1) "Relaxation is an example of a complementary therapy."
2) "It is any intervention that increases your ability to cope with illness."
3) "Massage therapy is complementary to muscle relaxant medications."
4) "They are therapies that are used in addition to what your PCP orders."

Question 15

The nurse recognizes that which one of the following statements is correct concerning complementary and alternative medicine?
1) One third to one half of the U.S.population uses one or more forms of alternative therapy.
2) Insurance coverage is available at the same amount as for traditional medicine.
3) Use of alternative therapies is still not incorporated into medical journals.
4) Use of alternative therapies is primarily by those who are less educated or in a lower socioeconomic group.

Question 16

The nurse is aware of the positive responses that may be obtained with the use of alternative therapies.A benefit that the client can gain from relaxation therapy is a decrease in:
1) Receptivity
2) Peripheral skin temperature
3) Oxygen consumption
4) Alpha brain activity

Question 17

The nurse is preparing to assist the client with meditation and breathing.In preparing to implement this therapy,the first step is to:
1) Position the client
2) Provide a warm environment
3) Have the client close his/her eyes
4) Note areas of tension or pain

Question 18

The nurse is preparing a presentation on alternative therapies for a community group.The nurse should identify that herbal therapies are:
1) Approved by the Food and Drug Administration,under the Food,Drug,and Cosmetic Act
2) Sold as medicines in most stores because they lack major side effects
3) Allowed to be packaged as dietary supplements if they are without health claims
4) Consistent in their standards for concentrations of major ingredients and additives

Question 19

In selecting alternative therapies,the nurse recognizes that therapeutic touch may be most effective with a:
1) Premature infant
2) Headache sufferer
3) Pregnant woman
4) Psychiatric client

Question 20

The client has a history of gastrointestinal problems and has used herbal remedies in the past.The nurse expects that this client will be taking:
1) Chamomile
2) St.John's wort
3) Echinacea
4) Ginkgo biloba

Question 21

A client recently experienced the loss of their significant other and has symptoms of distress.In selecting a complementary therapy,the nurse knows that the client may benefit the most from:
1) Relaxation therapy
2) Acupuncture
3) Feldenkrais method
4) Chiropractic medicine

Question 22

A client diagnosed with osteoarthritis has been practicing tai chi regularly.Which of the following statements best shows the client's understanding of the value of this complementary therapy?
1) "It is a great way to socialize and exercise at the same time."
2) "I don't like to exercise,but Tai Chi doesn't seem like exercise."
3) "The moves are so beautiful,and I feel so graceful when I practice them."
4) "The gentle,slow movements exercise my joints without straining them."

Question 23

The nurse notes that the client's blood pressure is substantially higher than it was on their last annual checkup.On questioning,the nurse learns that the client has been taking herbal therapy.The nurse understand that which of the following herbs is a central nervous stimulant that can cause a rise in blood pressure?
1) Calamus
2) Ginseng
3) Feverfew
4) Ephedra

Question 24

The nurse is discussing the importance of human touch with the family of a comatose client.The daughter states "I love my mother but I find it so hard to touch her when she's like this." Which of the following nursing statements reflects the most therapeutic response?
1) "Maybe it will get easier each time you touch her."
2) "Touch is a human need,just like food,so please try."
3) "Do you think it would be more comfortable to try washing her face and hands?"
4) "Your mother certainly wouldn't want you to do something that you find so difficult."

Question 25

A client undergoing chemotherapy treatment for lung cancer drinks ginger tea to help manage the resulting nausea.Which of the following medications should the nurse review for interactions?
1) Loop diuretics
2) Anticoagulants
3) Antidepressants
4) Antihypertensives

Question 26

A client seeking care for stress tells the nurse that he is interested in seeking holistic care that incorporates body,mind,and spirit.The nurse knows that which of the following CAM therapies may be beneficial to him?
1) Chiropractic medicine
2) Chinese medicine
3) European phytomedicine
4) Allopathic medicine

Question 27

A client is discussing his use of biofeedback.Which of the following client statements shows the best understanding of success?
1) "I have set aside one hour a day for practice."
2) "My appointments are very important;I keep them all."
3) "I find it empowering that I can do something to help myself."
4) "Goals are important;setting them gives me something to work toward."

Question 28

In gathering information for the admission data base,the nurse discovers that a client who was admitted to the hospital for a total hip replacement has been taking ginkgo biloba to help with their memory.The nurse knows that this may cause an interaction with which of the medications that will likely be ordered for the client?
1) Morphine sulfate
2) Warfarin
3) Docusate sodium
4) Docusate sodium

Question 29

Nurses who are interested in practicing CAM therapy can,with minimum preparation,incorporate which of the following into their nursing practice?
1) Biofeedback
2) Ayurveda
3) Therapeutic Touch
4) Acupressure

Question 30

An elderly client in a nursing home describes to the nurse that they are lonely.Based on this information,the nurse believes the patient may benefit from which of the following complementary therapies?
1) Therapeutic Touch
2) Chinese medicine
3) Dance therapy
4) Guided imagery

Question 31

Which of the following nursing statements best reflects the most therapeutic intervention regarding the client's need for human touch?
1) "I always ask my clients if they need a hug."
2) "It is important to use a light touch when giving a bath."
3) "I offer my clients a backrub whenever giving them bedtime care."
4) "When I meet a client for the first time,I always try to shake his or her hand."

Question 32

Which of the following statements made by a nurse shows the most appropriate understanding of "skin hunger"?
1) "For skin to be healthy,it must be fed."
2) "Being touched is as important as being fed."
3) "Touch provides emotional comfort to a client."
4) "Skin requires adequate nutrients and hydration."

Question 33

A nurse and client are engaged in imagery training.The nurse shows the best understanding of the importance of selecting an appropriate focus when stating:
1) "Let's discuss how to select today's focus."
2) "Today's focus will be auditory rather than visual."
3) "What do you find to be most effective as your focus?"
4) "Review this list and select a focus for today's session."

Question 34

Acupuncture is contraindicated for which of the following clients?
1) A 72-year-old asthmatic
2) A 10-year-old hemophiliac
3) A 23-year-old with Crohn's disease
4) A 40-year-old who is clinically depressed