Question 1

When the patient asked the nurse about the use of acupuncture for the control of back pain, the nurse warned that acupuncture can put the patient at risk for:

Accepted Answer

The main concern of acupuncture therapy is the use of needles for this treatment. If sterile needles are not used, there is a high risk of HIV or hepatitis transmission.

Question 2

A patient asks the nurse about the difference between manipulative and body-based methods and mind-body therapies. The nurse's correct response is that:

Accepted Answer

Manipulative and body-based methods involve touching, such as in chiropractic therapy, and mind-body therapy is the mind working to heal the body, such as with imagery.

Question 3

A patient who has job-related stress and chronic back pain wants to start exercising but dislikes physical activity. The nurse suggests that the most beneficial therapy for this patient is:

Accepted Answer

Yoga is a combination of exercise, controlled breathing, posture, and mental focus to bring positive effects on the body and mind. It is effective for stress reduction and chronic back problems.

Question 4

A patient who is in labor is having anxiety and sobs with each contraction. The nurse decides to use imagery to calm the patient by:

Accepted Answer

Imagery involves visual stimuli to produce some physiological change that can decrease anxiety or decrease pain. It is used often for patients in labor. The patient is asked to mentally recall some visual image that is pleasant to them.

Question 5

The home health nurse helps a patient schedule an appointment with a chiropractor because of chronic back pain, instructing the patient that the chiropractic treatment will involve:

Accepted Answer

Chiropractic therapy is the manipulation of the spine for relief of pain by correcting the spine alignment, and is being accepted more widely as an alternative form of health care.

Question 6

When asked to give an example of complementary therapies, the nurse gives:

Accepted Answer

Complementary therapies are used jointly with conventional methods to treat a problem. All the other possibilities listed are alternative therapies.

Question 7

A Hispanic female patient visits the clinic with complaints of sleep loss and wants sleeping pills. In further talking with the patient, the nurse learns that the patient is also drinking valerian tea. The most appropriate nursing action is to:

Accepted Answer

It is vital for health care providers to know whether patients are taking over-the-counter herbal or homeopathic substances because these may interact with prescription medications, even leading to organ transplant rejection Valerian is a minor tranquilizer for sleep disorders. Combining both valerian and hypnotics puts this patient at risk for sedation overdose, so it is best that the doctor is aware.

Question 8

A Mexican patient is admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain. The nurse learns that the patient has been treated for the same condition by a curandero and wants the curandero to visit and perform rituals. The best response via the interpreter by the nurse is:

Accepted Answer

In Mexico, the use of the curandero is very common. It is best for the doctor to talk to the curandero to learn about the herbs used to treat the abdominal pain.

Question 9

A patient asks about the difference between imagery and meditation. The nurse explains that imagery uses a visual stimulus that can decrease stress, whereas meditation:

Accepted Answer

Meditation focuses on a single repetitive stimulus, altering consciousness and inducing a restful state. It has been helpful for people with chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes.

Question 10

Before integrating humor in the care of an Asian patient, the nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Humor and laughter are used at the bedside to distract patients from pain, and they have a positive effect on the body. However, it is important to check with the patient first to find out whether it might be considered disrespectful.

Question 11

A patient is seen by an alternative medicine practitioner for menopausal symptoms. The most popular and effective herbal remedy that the alternative medicine practitioner would suggest is:

Accepted Answer

Women are using alternative hormone replacement therapy such as black cohosh to treat hot flashes and mood swings.

Question 12

A patient's blood pressure measures 170/90 mm Hg. There is no history of hypertension, but the patient is very stressed because of career demands. The best complementary therapy that the patient might benefit from is:

Accepted Answer

Complementary therapy involves both alternative and conventional forms of medical treatment, such as meditation and antihypertensives.

Question 13

A nurse is caring for a patient admitted for electrolyte imbalance who has been practicing Ayurveda, a traditional Hindu system of medicine. The nurse should inform the physician that the patient is practicing this traditional form of medicine, because Ayurveda:

Accepted Answer

Ayurveda uses special diets and purgatives as part of the practice, which could cause electrolyte imbalance. It does not forbid invasive procedures such as IVs.

Question 14

A patient who is a heavy smoker has been told by the physician to stop smoking, but does not want to use a smoking cessation patch. The nurse suggests that the most effective alternative is:

Accepted Answer

Hypnosis is therapy in which the patient is put into a hypnotic state, during which time suggestions are implanted in the mind that remain after the hypnosis ends.

Question 15

The nurse is assessing a patient and finds that the patient is taking ephedra for weight control. The finding that is most likely attributable to ephedra is:

Accepted Answer

Ephedra, or ma huang, is a cardiac stimulant found in weight loss preparations, and the patient should be instructed to stop taking it because of its adverse side effects.

Question 16

An elderly Hispanic male was admitted with a severe headache and is anxious. The patient tells the nurse that he was given the mal de ojo. The culturally competent nurse understands that mal de ojo means that the patient believes that he:

Accepted Answer

The mal de ojo literally means "the evil eye" cast from someone, which can bring fear, irritability, headache, and weeping.

Question 17

The nurse caring for a patient without any religious affiliation who was admitted 2 days ago with a severe gastrointestinal infection encounters the hospital chaplain who wants to pray with the patient. The most appropriate response by the nurse is:

Accepted Answer

Although prayer has been known to promote healing, the patient's privacy must be protected.

Question 18

An elderly female patient is placed on warfarin sodium (Coumadin) for thrombophlebitis and is seen in the clinic for a follow-up visit. On assessment, the patient complains that her forgetfulness is becoming worse and asks if ginkgo biloba would help. The most appropriate response by the nurse is:

Accepted Answer

Coumadin and ginkgo biloba should not be used together, because the herb prolongs the bleeding time, placing the patient in danger of hemorrhage.

Question 19

A patient is scheduled to have biofeedback therapy for migraine headaches. On arrival to the clinic, the patient appears anxious and fearful and tells the nurse that she does not want electric shocks. The most reassuring response by the nurse is:

Accepted Answer

Biofeedback involves applying electrodes to the body to look at the internal activity, so that the patient can gain control of involuntary activity.

Question 20

When an asthmatic patient asks the nurse about using aromatherapy oils for decreasing stress, the nurse expresses concern to the patient about:

Accepted Answer

The aromatic properties of certain herbs could cause allergic reactions that can trigger asthmatic episodes.

Quiz 32: Complementary and Alternative Therapies