Deck 30: Complementary and Psychosocial Therapies

Question 1

The client reports taking an herbal remedy to lose weight. The client states, "I'm taking the recommended dose, but it seems like if two capsules are good, four would be better!" Which response would the nurse make?

A) "Herbal medicines are more likely to cause adverse reactions than prescription medications."
B) "Increasing the amount of herbal medicines can lead to overdose and toxicity."
C) "There are no regulations in place for herbal medicines, so ingredients are often unknown."
D) "Certain companies are better than others. Always buy a reputable brand of herbal medicine."

Answer 1

"Increasing the amount of herbal medicines can lead to overdose and toxicity."

Question 2

Which statements reflect current attitudes toward complementary and alternative therapies? (Select all that apply.)

A) Some health insurance companies are beginning to cover treatments such as acupuncture and massage therapy.
B) The majority of third-party payers do not cover chiropractic client treatments.
C) A large number of U.S. medical schools, among them Harvard and Yale, now offer coursework in holistic methods.
D) The American Medical Association supports the inclusion of complementary and alternative medicine in medical education.
E) Interest in dietary supplements is decreasing worldwide.

Answer 2

Some health insurance companies are beginning to cover treatments such as acupuncture and massage therapy.
A large number of U.S. medical schools, among them Harvard and Yale, now offer coursework in holistic methods.
The American Medical Association supports the inclusion of complementary and alternative medicine in medical education.

Question 3

Which treatment would a nurse determine is appropriate for a client experiencing frequent migraine headaches?

A) St. John's wort combined with an antidepressant
B) Ginger tea combined with a beta-blocker
C) Feverfew, used according to directions
D) Kava-kava added to a regular diet

Answer 3

Feverfew, used according to directions

Question 4

Which guidelines from the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services would the nurse use to promote health and prevent disease in clients? (Select all that apply.)

A) Consume less than 300 mg per day of dietary cholesterol.
B) Limit total calorie intake to 2,000 calories per day.
C) Reduce daily sodium intake to 3,000 mg per day.
D) Consume less than 10 percent of calories from saturated fatty acids.
E) Limit alcohol consumption to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

Question 5

The client who prefers to use St. John's wort and psychotherapy in lieu of medication therapy asks for tips on using St. John's wort. Which teaching points should the nurse provide? (Select all that apply.)

A) Select a reputable brand that provides 1200 mg/day.
B) Take with food to lessen the GI irritation.
C) Monitor for adverse reactions.
D) Do not take with an anticoagulant.
E) Stay in the sun for at least 30 minutes.

Question 6

The client asks the nurse about pet therapy. Which responses by the nurse provide the client with accurate information? (Select all that apply.)

A) "Pet therapy reduces depression."
B) "Pet therapy decreases blood pressure."
C) "Pet therapy enhances client mood."
D) "Pet therapy improves sensory functioning."
E) "Pet therapy mitigates the effects of loneliness."

Question 7

Interventions that are different from, but used in conjunction with, traditional or conventional medical treatment are termed ____________________ medicine.

Question 8

Which information would the nurse include in a teaching session about alternative therapies?

A) These therapies view all humans as being biologically similar.
B) These therapies view a person as a combination of multiple, integrated elements.
C) These therapies focus primarily on the structure and functions of the body.
D) These therapies focus on disease from a purely scientific method perspective.

Question 9

The chronically fatigued client is diagnosed with major depressive disorder. After taking antidepressant medication for 6 weeks, the client's symptoms have not resolved. Which nutritional deficiency should a nurse identify as potentially contributing to the client's symptoms?

A) Vitamin A
B) Vitamin C
C) Iron
D) Calcium

Question 10

The client questions the nurse about therapeutic touch. Which nursing response best explains the goal of this therapy?

A) "This enhances circulation to the body by deep, circular massage."
B) "This re-patterns the body's energy field by the use of rhythmic hand motions."
C) "This improves breathing by increasing oxygen to the brain and body tissues."
D) "This decreases blood pressure by releasing body toxins."

Question 11

The client with migraine headaches says, "My nurse practitioner told me that acupuncture may enhance the effects of my medications." Which type of therapy is the nurse practitioner recommending?

A) Alternative
B) Physiological
C) Complementary
D) Psychosocial

Question 12

When a practitioner corrects subluxation by manipulating the vertebrae of the spinal column, which therapy is the practitioner employing?

A) Allopathic
B) Therapeutic touch
C) Massage
D) Chiropractic

Question 13

Which practices should a nurse describe to a client as being incorporated during yoga therapy? (Select all that apply.)

A) Deep breathing
B) Meridian flow
C) Balanced body postures
D) Massage
E) Meditation

Question 14

The client asks a nurse to explain the difference between alternative and complementary medicine. Which is an appropriate nursing response?

A) "Alternative medicine is a more acceptable practice than complementary medicine."
B) "Alternative and complementary medicine are terms that essentially mean the same thing."
C) "Complementary medicine disregards traditional medical approaches."
D) "Complementary therapies partner alternative approaches with traditional medical practice."

Question 15

The nursing student, having no knowledge of alternative treatments, states, "Aren't these therapies like a fad? Won't they eventually fade away?" Which response would the nurse make?

A) "Like nursing, complementary therapies take a holistic approach to healing."
B) "The American Nurses Association researches the effectiveness of these therapies."
C) "It is important to remain nonjudgmental about these therapies."
D) "Alternative therapy concepts are rooted in psychoanalysis."

Question 16

The client diagnosed with chronic low back pain is considering acupuncture. Which response would the nurse make when the client asks about how this type of treatment works?

A) "Western medicine believes that acupuncture stimulates the body's release of pain-fighting chemicals called endorphins."
B) "I'm not sure if that would be a good idea. There are a lot of risks, including HIV."
C) "Acupuncture works by encouraging the body to increase its development of serotonin and norepinephrine."
D) "Your acupuncturist is your best resource for answering your specific questions."