Question 1

A nurse should advise a patient taking the herb kava-kava in conjunction with central nervous system medications that it may:

Accepted Answer

The FDA Consumer Advisory and Consumer Reports medical experts have cautioned against the use of kava-kava.Use of kava-kava with other central nervous systems medications can be harmful,and kava-kava may have addictive properties with long-term use.

Question 2

When asked about the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies,a nurse's best response is that CAM therapies usually:

Accepted Answer

Although there are some exceptions,CAM therapies are often more available,accessible,and appealing to the health care consumer,and they also can cost less than conventional health care.

Question 3

Which activity should a nurse suggest to a patient who asks,"What kind of exercise should I do to raise my mood?"

Accepted Answer

Sustained periods of physical exercise that produces cardiovascular benefit have been associated with positive medical benefits,improved mood and self-esteem,a feeling of accomplishment,and renewed energy.Many studies also suggest that depression levels are lower in exercise groups over a longer duration of time.Although other forms of exercise performed on a regular basis may be beneficial,the actual evidence-based research is scarce.

Question 4

A nurse knows that the patient has an understanding of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies when the patient states: (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Chiropractic therapy focuses on the musculoskeletal system,and there is some research to support the use of herbal medication for the management of mild depression.Reflexology is a method based on manipulation and/or movement of the body.Massage therapy appears to have temporary affects on anxiety and depression but there is no support that the results are similar to antianxiety medication therapy.The patient is in need of further education about the major domains of complementary and alternative medicines.

Question 5

When a patient asks a nurse to explain complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies,which fact should the nurse include?

Accepted Answer

If a patient is considering a CAM therapy,the nurse should teach the patient the importance of checking on the safety and effectiveness of the therapy or treatment with the appropriate persons.

Question 6

Which modality would a nurse plan to implement to best facilitate the patient's capacity to implement mind-body interventions? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine's major domains of complementary and alternative medicine are divided into alternative medical systems,mind-body interventions,biologically based therapies,manipulative and body-based methods,and energy therapies.Meditation,hypnosis,prayer,art,music therapy,and dance therapy are mind-body interventions used to facilitate the mind's capacity to affect body function and symptoms.

Question 7

Which of these patient statements would indicate an understanding of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Research on ginkgo biloba does not support that statement.St.John's wort may have some efficacy in mild to moderate depression,but there are no evidence-based findings on its use as treatment for major depression.While the manufacture and selling of medications is managed by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration),this is not true of herbals.Currently the guidelines are much less stringent.

Question 8

A patient shares with a nurse,"One of my friends says there's nothing wrong with my nerves that meditation can't cure.What do you think I should do when I get uptight and start worrying about something?" The nurse's best response is based on the fact that meditation:

Accepted Answer

Meditation,a relaxation technique,has been beneficial for generalized anxiety and panic disorder.It has been found to be helpful in reducing the severity and frequency of panic attacks and has improved anxiety and depression scores.

Question 9

A patient diagnosed with major depression asks a nurse if St.John's wort could be added to the drug being prescribed.The nurse's response should be:

Accepted Answer

Encourage patients to participate in their care,and especially encourage them to continue to learn and investigate ideas that can then be discussed with their health care providers.

Question 10

What is the best nursing response when a patient asks,"What do you know about massage therapy? A friend of mine says it can be more helpful than antidepressants."

Accepted Answer

The nurse,who is often the professional that the patient sees as a health teacher and caregiver,must keep informed about the most contemporary research findings on all kinds of therapies.

Question 11

A patient with chronic depression asks a nurse whether light therapy should be considered as a possible treatment for the disorder.The nurse's response should be based on the knowledge that this form of therapy is best suited for:

Accepted Answer

Light therapy,or phototherapy,has been shown to be effective for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).Phase-delayed sleep brought on by the reduced sunlight in winter disrupts circadian rhythms.

Question 12

A patient states,"One of my friends says it's possible to cure the fear of flying by using relaxation techniques.Do you think relaxation techniques would help my chronic depression?" What is a nurse's best response?

Accepted Answer

When a patient inquires about any treatment,it is good practice to first perform a needs assessment.Providing the patient with the most current evidence-based research or directing the patient to an information resource is good practice and begins to establish the need for this particular treatment.While it is true that relaxation therapy may not affect chronic depression as effectively as it does phobias,this information would be provided when the correct option was implemented.

Question 13

A patient states,"My nurse practitioner performs therapeutic touch (TT) on me and it relaxes me but my partner said it's just the power of suggestion." Which response would be most therapeutic?

Accepted Answer

The most therapeutic nursing communication is the one that facilitates the patient's expression of feeling and provides an evidence-based practice framework for decision making that is empowering.By presenting the most recent evidence on the topic,the nurse is making a nonjudgmental,nonbiased response that is both professional and therapeutic in its stance.

Question 14

Nurses are in an ideal position to help patients understand how complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies affect individuals.It is most important that they:

Accepted Answer

Nurses must continually learn the research findings related to CAM because nurses play an important role in educating consumers about the evidence supporting these new therapies as well as about the dangers involved in using some of them.Evidence-based outcomes provide more information about efficacy,tolerability,dosage,safety,and interactions with other treatments.

Question 15

When counseling a patient diagnosed with depression who is prescribed St.John's wort,which information would a nurse include in the patient's education plan?

Accepted Answer

Side effects are minimal,but dry mouth,photosensitivity,gastrointestinal symptoms,and dizziness can occur.

Question 16

When a patient asks if SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) would be helpful for depression,a nurse responds most appropriately by stating:

Accepted Answer

As with most CAM therapies,SAMe has been studied only in small research projects.Tentative findings demonstrate that SAMe is more effective than placebo and as effective as tricyclic antidepressants.The usual oral dose is 200 to 800 mg bid,with most studies examining the use of 1600 mg daily.The high cost of SAMe for a month's supply is a considerable disadvantage of its use.

Question 17

Which patient statement is the best indication that a nurse's teaching concerning the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies has been effective?

Accepted Answer

Because of the adverse effects of these strategies,it is important to teach a patient to discuss any selection of a holistic therapy with the health care provider.

Quiz 30: Complementary and Alternative Therapies