Deck 46: Holistic Healing

Question 1

The nurse understands that complementary and alternative modalities (CAM) therapies are popular with many patients. What is the most important thing for the nurse to know regarding safe use of CAM therapies? CAM therapies:
1)Must be sensitive to the patient's culture
2)Need to be tested to establish their effectiveness
3)Should be determined by the patient
4)Chosen by the patient can bypass testing

Answer 1

2

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient with severe, chronic headaches. According to a recent medical work-up, there "is no definitive physiological reason for these headaches." The nurse counsels the patient about alternative therapies for headaches, knowing that:
1)Homeopathic medications eliminate migraine and other chronic headaches.
2)Acupuncture is more effective than medication in relieving chronic headaches.
3)Western medicine has no alternative treatment for severe, chronic headaches.
4)There is no palliative care for chronic headaches without physiological basis.

Answer 2

2

Question 3

The nurse in a women's health clinic, educates patients about the benefits of probiotic therapy. Today, the nurse is working with a patient complaining of recurrent vaginal yeast infections. The patient's laboratory tests confirm Candida albicans. Which statement helps the nurse to determine that the patient needs more teaching regarding probiotic therapy?
1)"If I eat yogurt, I will not get any more yeast infections."
2)"I can eat yogurt, and it will reduce my yeast infections."
3)"Eating yogurt once a day will help to balance my natural body flora."
4)"I can take probiotics once I read their labels to ensure the bacteria are live."

Answer 3

1

Question 4

Which of the following beliefs is an essential component of holistic healthcare? Select all that apply.
1)Illness occurs when there is a shift in an individual's balance.
2)Regardless of the type of care received, ultimately all healing is self-healing.
3)More healthcare resources should be focused on alternative healers.
4)Illness can create an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth.
5)Disease is usually caused by one specific biological factor.

Question 5

A patient has been taking herbal remedies to decrease blood pressure. The patient is convinced that this has reduced his blood pressure and he refuses to take a prescribed antihypertensive medication. The nurse checks his blood pressure reading during an office visit, with the following results: left arm: 130/94, 140/86, and 160/90 mm Hg. With this information, what is the nurse's best response to the patient's refusal to take antihypertensive medications?
1)"I see that you are correct; your blood pressure readings do not indicate hypertension."
2)"Your blood pressure is elevated, so you will need to take a prescribed antihypertensive."
3)"Your blood pressure is within normal limits, and does not need anything for it."
4)"Your blood pressure is elevated. It is important to discuss this with your doctor."

Question 6

The health clinic nurse is interviewing a new patient. The nurse asks questions about the patient's self-care and about his healthcare providers. Which statement is likely to yield the most information from the patient regarding the use of complementary and alternative modalities (CAM)?
1)"Many people go to a medical provider and other healers, as well. Please tell me about the practitioners and healers you use."
2)"Some people go to both medical and nonmedical providers for healthcare. Do you use both?"
3)"Many people only go to a medical physician. Tell me about the practitioners you see for healthcare."
4)"Some people go to different types of CAM healers. You don't use CAM, do you?"

Question 7

A patient is receiving healthcare focused on his illness and counteracting his symptoms. What type of healthcare is he receiving?
1)Holistic
2)Integrative
3)Complementary
4)Allopathic

Question 8

Massage is one of the oldest forms of healing. It involves the manipulation of muscles and other soft tissues. Although it is relaxing, it is not advisable for everyone. In which of the following scenarios would a massage be contraindicated? Select all that apply.
1)A patient with a history of phlebitis
2)A patient with chronic back pain
3)A preterm infant with a nasogastric (NG) tube
4)A patient with deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
5)A low birth weight infant with physiological jaundice

Question 9

A client tells the nurse that he is having difficulty sleeping. He says, "I don't want to use sleeping pills, but I'm thinking about getting some melatonin." Which of the following statements is the priority teaching point that the nurse should include in a response to the client?
1)"Melatonin is an effective treatment for certain sleep disorders."
2)"Melatonin appears to be a relatively safe sleep aid for most people."
3)"You may experience some side effects, such as elevated blood pressure."
4)"Before taking melatonin, you should consult your primary care provider."

Question 10

An elderly client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is having difficulty sleeping and does not wish to see a medical practitioner. Which of the following strategies should the nurse discourage the client from using or urge him to see a physician before beginning the therapy? The client has not used any of these therapies in the past. Select all that apply.
1)Aromatherapy
2)T'ai chi
3)Yoga
4)Melatonin
5)Music therapy

Question 11

Mind-body interventions target the patient's mood and reaction to stress. Identify the following mind-body interventions that have become a part of conventional healthcare.
1)Humor
2)Biofeedback
3)Yoga
4)Music therapy
5)Massage

Question 12

A woman is receiving physical therapy after surgery to repair a hip fracture. She tells the therapist before therapy begins that she expects therapy to be very painful. She rates her pain as 1 on a scale of 1 to 10 before therapy. Three minutes into the treatment session, the patient complains of excruciating pain rated as 10 and says she cannot tolerate exercise any longer. The therapist is concerned about the amount of pain because severe pain is not expected during that form of exercise. The therapist considers the patient could be experiencing:
1)Phantom limb pain
2)Ineffective pain medication
3)A nocebo effect
4)A complication from the surgery

Question 13

The nurse is caring for a patient, who recently emigrated from India. The patient states the reason for the visit is for a well-patient visit. While taking the patient's history, the nurse ascertains that the patient is using ayurvedic herbal remedies. Which statement below assists the nurse to determine whether the patient understands the pros and cons of these herbal remedies?
1)"I can continue to order these herbal remedies from the shop in India where I have always purchased them."
2)"I can order these herbal remedies from any Internet source selling them."
3)"I should order these herbal remedies over the Internet from an FDA-approved site."
4)"I have had no problems from taking these herbal remedies, so I can continue their use."

Question 14

Which of the following complementary and alternative modalities may be considered alternative medical systems? Select all that apply.
1)Homeopathy
2)Prayer
3)Ayurveda
4)Aromatherapy
5)Chiropractic

Question 15

The health and well-being of a holistic nurse in relation to helping patients constitute an important part of the healing process. A method that would be helpful to nurses in fostering their own health and the health of their patients is:
1)Role modeling healthy behaviors
2)Avoiding discussions on personal behaviors
3)Working and acting in isolation
4)Setting goals for the patient

Question 16

The nurse is caring for a patient who had radiation therapy after removal of a tumor. The patient, without consulting his primary provider, added nutritional therapy and the use of acupuncture. The treatments chosen by the patient are examples of what type of treatments?
1)Alternative modalities
2)Complementary modalities
3)Integrative healthcare
4)Conventional biomedical therapies

Question 17

The concept of holism focuses on which of the following?
1)Relationship between nurse and patient
2)Practice of spiritualism
3)Relationships among all living things
4)Totality of the body

Question 18

A client has a diagnosis of chronic pain. The physician has prescribed tramadol hydrochloride (Ultram) for the pain. The patient also receives therapeutic touch (TT) from a practitioner three times a week. In this situation, TT is considered to be which of the following?
1)A complementary modality
2)An alternative modality
3)A placebo response
4)Holistic healthcare

Question 19

A client wishes to avoid taking blood pressure medications. He is watching his diet and exercising. In addition, a complementary and alternative modalities (CAM) therapist has recommended an alternative therapy that will allow him to learn voluntary control over his blood pressure. What type of therapy is the therapist probably recommending?
1)Homeopathy
2)Naturopathy
3)Biofeedback
4)Hypnosis

Question 20

Herbal products are very popular worldwide for the prevention and treatment of illness. As a nurse you should:
1)Advise patients to purchase herbal products from the least expensive source.
2)Inform patients that research conclusively states that herbs are safe.
3)Learn about herbal therapies and include them in questions when taking a patient's history.
4)Disregard patients' use of herbal products, as their use will not impact traditional medicine.

Question 21

A client undergoing chemotherapy becomes very anxious and stressed just before every 3-week treatment. Which of the following would be an appropriate therapy for this person to learn?
1)Yoga
2)Meditation
3)Reflexology
4)Music therapy
5)Imagery

Question 22

Herbs are used in a number of ways in complementary and alternative modalities (CAM). Why might a patient choose to use CAM for healing? Select all that apply.
1)Aromatherapy
2)Health maintenance
3)Health promotion
4)Infection prevention
5)Avoidance of treatment side effects

Question 23

The nurse understands that there are potential risks with herb use, just as there are risks with standard Western medications. These risks with herb use include which of the following? Select all that apply.
1)Interaction with other medications
2)Standardization of herbal preparations
3)Variations in active ingredients
4)Lack of a formulary
5)Reduced chance of toxicity