Question 1

An impact the popularity of alternative therapy has on the nursing application of therapeutic interventions is that nurses:

Accepted Answer

Herbal preparations are presently in common use.Nurses must include assessment of herbal use and be cognizant of herb-drug interactions in order to provide safe,effective care.There is no support for any of the remaining options.

Question 2

A desired outcome for a patient who uses ginkgo biloba for improved cerebral circulation would be that the patient will:

Accepted Answer

This herb is said to improve mental alertness,improve blood flow,and reduce the effects of aging.Many use it to improve memory.This herb does not elevate mood,modify appetite,or reduce stress.

Question 3

Which alternative treatment could the nurse suggest that would be appropriate for the patient whose health-illness beliefs equate illness with bodily imbalance?

Accepted Answer

The purpose of acupuncture is to activate qi and achieve balance when imbalance exists.Naturopathy focuses on self-healing.Reflexology focuses on relief of tension.Chiropractics provides manual adjustments of bones and joints to correct alignment problems.

Question 4

Which nursing response best describes alternative therapies to a patient?

Accepted Answer

Alternative therapies are treatments and health care practices that are not widely taught in Western medical schools,not generally used in Western hospitals,and not generally reimbursed by health insurance.There are valuable forms of alternative therapies.Alternative therapies have not been widely researched.No evidence supports the statement regarding preventive measures.

Question 5

A patient experiencing symptoms of mild depression would prefer to take a "natural" substance instead of a prescription antidepressant.The herbal preparation that could be suggested for its antidepressant effects is:

Accepted Answer

St.John's wort is an herb often used to treat mild depressive symptoms.Valerian is considered an anxiolytic.Saw palmetto is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia.Echinacea is used to boost immunity.

Question 6

The nurse planning care for an Asian-American patient who plans to use Oriental medicinal dietary principles will need to understand that hot and cold substances are an integral part of therapy.The substances used are:

Accepted Answer

Many Oriental patients believe illness is due to imbalance of yin and yang.Herbal mixtures are prescribed according to their yin or yang characteristics (hot or cold)in order to rebalance yin and yang.Hot and cold properties do not refer to thermal properties in this case.Divining by shamans is not part of the Oriental medical tradition.For the most part,the substances used are not disruptive of conventional therapy but are complementary.

Question 7

What nursing activity is directed towards addressing a major goal identified by Healthy People 2010?

Accepted Answer

One of the major goals for Healthy People 2010 was to eliminate health disparities.Providing depression screening for an identified underserved population would be an example of such focus.Although appropriate,the remaining options do not address that stated goal.

Question 8

Which health promotion activities address the statistical indicators of a healthy population as stated by Healthy People 2010? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Statistical indicators of a healthy population include evidence of physical activity,a reduction in obesity,responsible sexual behavior,and improved mental health.Management of allergies does not directly apply to any stated indicator.

Question 9

Which point should the nurse include when teaching about concurrent use of alternative and prescription medicines?

Accepted Answer

Only when the provider has accurate information about all therapies in use can safe,effective care be provided.The provider cannot function with incomplete assessment information.New standards for cultural competency exist and are generally observable.It is not universally true that nurses focus on holistic goals because many actions are designed to alleviate symptoms.Alternative and conventional therapies can be effectively used together.

Question 10

The nurse asked by a patient to contrast conventional Western medicine with alternative therapy would correctly respond,"Conventional medicine focuses on curing symptoms,whereas alternative therapy is concerned with:

Accepted Answer

Healing the whole person is the focus of most alternative therapy.Unifying themes among these therapies are the person's inherent recuperative ability,the importance of self-esteem,and the influence of spiritual and emotional beliefs on health.Culture-bound illnesses are not the whole focus of alternative therapies.Alternative therapy is patient-centered.Pure science is not the focus of alternative therapy; in fact,most alternative methods have not been researched.

Question 11

The fundamental belief of nurses that will foster use of a holistic nursing model to promote wellness is which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Holistic care requires patient participation as an equal partner in the process if healthy outcomes are to be achieved.Environmental influences are important,but the central belief concerns partnership.Health teaching is important in wellness promotion but is not the central concept of holistic nursing.Public awareness is not a belief central to holistic nursing.

Question 12

Which statement made by a nurse discussing alternative and conventional therapies supports the holistic philosophy that mind-body interrelationships influence wellness?

Accepted Answer

The mind's influence on the body is suggested by the statistics that married individuals live longer.It is hypothesized that the sense of security and benefits of companionship from marriage may be protective against disease.The other statements are true,but have no bearing on mind-body relationships.

Question 13

A patient reports little change in her blood pressure even though she has been doing the biofeedback exercises stating that,"The machine has not been successful." The nurse will observe the next session being aware that:

Accepted Answer

With biofeedback,a patient can learn to gain conscious control over bodily responses thought to be beyond voluntary command.Listening to the monitoring device makes the patient aware of whether or not the mental exercises,breathing,or other techniques being used are effective.The machine is only needed early in therapy.Muscle relaxation and emotions have a role to play but are not the only significant factors to be considered.

Question 14

The nurse when entering the room to find a terminally ill child laughing at an old The Three Stooges movie decides to postpone a scheduled treatment.This intervention is based on the knowledge that humor:

Accepted Answer

Research has shown humor may have positive effects on cognitive ability,heart and respiratory rates,blood pressure,muscle tension,and pain.Humor does have the effects reflected in the remaining options but none would be the basis for postponing a treatment.

Question 15

When statement best answers a patient's request for an explanation of how homeopathy works?

Accepted Answer

Substances are given that produce reactions that correspond to existing symptoms.The rationale is to follow the body's lead to effect a cure.The substances used are not necessarily poisonous or purgatives.Homeopathic medicines are not prescription medications nor are they given for controlling symptoms.

Question 16

The nurse describes in a balanced and neutral manner traditional medicine options that are available to treat a patient's health problems.The patient thanks the nurse and shares that he prefers to continue treatment with acupuncture and Ayurvedic medicine.The nurse encourages the patient to carefully consider his choices and tells him that the staff is available if needed.The nurse's response demonstrates:

Accepted Answer

After receiving all relevant,current information,patients have the right to make their own decisions about health care.This response shows respect for the patient's right to make such a choice and the nurse's understanding of the philosophy of holistic nursing.Although an understanding of patient rights is vital,it is not the best description of the nurse's response.The nurse must remain objective and empathetic but may not interfere with the patient's choices.There is no need for confrontation.

Question 17

When a patient asks for an example of an alternative or complementary therapy,the nurse would correctly identify:

Accepted Answer

Acupuncture is considered an alternative or complementary therapy coming to Western health care from traditional oriental medicine.Options a,c,and d are considered allopathic therapies.

Question 18

During assessment,the patient tells the nurse that she eats a natural food/high vitamin diet,exercises 30 minutes daily,uses meditation and yoga techniques for stress reduction,and takes prescribed antihypertensive medication.The nurse would assess that number of CAM therapies the patient uses as:

Accepted Answer

CAM therapies include diet,exercise,yoga,and meditation.Only the prescribed antihypertensive medication would be considered conventional medical treatment.

Question 19

A patient who experiences panic attacks when he is alone at home has been instructed in the use of meditation techniques.The technique can be evaluated as having proved most useful when the patient explains to a friend that meditation:

Accepted Answer

When implemented effectively,meditation has wide-ranging effects that include a sense of control over one's situation.All the remaining options are correct but they lack the connection to a patient's sense of well-being and control.

Question 20

The nurse is planning care for an anxious patient receiving antidepressant medication.Which alternative therapy could the nurse incorporate in the care plan without being concerned about untoward interactions?

Accepted Answer

Yoga and meditation are accepted alternative or complementary therapies for patients with anxiety disorders.Patients report relaxation with use of yoga.There are no untoward side effects of drug-herb interactions with the use of yoga.Untoward effects are possible with ingestion of herbal medicines or homeopathic remedies.

Quiz 27: Complementary and Alternative Therapies