Deck 6: Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Question 1

Which nursing actions can the registered nurse (RN)delegate to a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN)? ?

A) Ask a newly admitted patient about home use of herbal medications.
B) Administer prescribed naproxen (Naprosyn) to a patient with osteoarthritis.
C) Provide a gentle back rub to a patient who is having difficulty falling asleep.
D) Teach a patient with heart disease about the benefits of fish oil supplements.
E) Evaluate whether home use of aloe has affected a patient's electrolyte levels.

Answer 1

Administer prescribed naproxen (Naprosyn) to a patient with osteoarthritis.
Provide a gentle back rub to a patient who is having difficulty falling asleep.

Question 2

Which complementary and alternative therapy should the nurse suggest to a patient who has elevated triglyceride levels?

A) Fish oil
B) Milk thistle
C) Saw palmetto
D) Ginkgo biloba

Answer 2

Fish oil

Question 3

The nurse assesses a patient with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.Which finding would indicate a need for patient teaching?

A) The patient takes glucosamine daily for knee and hip pain.
B) The patient attends a weekly yoga class to improve flexibility and balance.
C) The patient states that prayer helps improve the pain and her ability to function.
D) The patient obtains information about herbs from a salesperson at a health food store.

Answer 3

The patient obtains information about herbs from a salesperson at a health food store.

Question 4

Which action is most appropriate for the nurse to take when a patient with a chronic wound voices the preference of taking herbs to boost immunity rather than prescribed antibiotics?

A) Instruct the patient about the rationale for antibiotic use to treat infection.
B) Remind the patient that the infection has not cleared with herbal treatment.
C) Tell the patient that research shows that herbs are not effective in treating infection.
D) Determine how the patient feels about using antibiotics in addition to herbal products.

Question 5

Which action by a new staff nurse indicates that further teaching about complementary and alternative therapy may be needed?

A) The nurse massages the legs of a patient who has a left foot stasis ulcer.
B) The nurse checks a blood glucose on a patient with diabetes who takes aloe.
C) The nurse suggests the use of acupressure to a patient with tension headaches.
D) The nurse shows a family how to use hand massage to calm an agitated patient.

Question 6

Which is the most appropriate therapy for the nurse to suggest for a patient with chronic low back pain from osteoarthritis?

A) Acupuncture
B) Aromatherapy
C) St. John's wort
D) Magnetic therapy

Question 7

A patient undergoing chemotherapy complains of nausea and asks the nurse whether there are any complementary and alternative therapies that may help.Which therapy should the nurse recommend to the patient?

A) Green tea
B) Acupuncture
C) Black cohosh
D) Chiropractic therapy

Question 8

The nurse performs a preoperative assessment on a patient before surgery.Which finding would require immediate follow-up by the nurse?

A) The patient uses several herbal remedies routinely.
B) The patient recently visited a chiropractor for back pain.
C) The patient has used acupressure to relieve postoperative nausea in the past.
D) The patient expresses a wish to use acupuncture for postoperative pain control.

Question 9

A patient who develops frequent upper respiratory infections (URIs)asks the nurse whether any herbal therapies might help.Which herbal supplement should the nurse recommend?

A) Ginger
B) Echinacea
C) Ginkgo biloba
D) St. John's wort

Question 10

When admitting a patient who has diabetes and poorly controlled glucose levels,the nurse obtains the information shown in the accompanying figure about the patient's use of complementary and alternative therapies.Which information is most important to report to the health care provider?

A) Takes zinc when cold symptoms occur
B) Practices relaxation therapies frequently
C) Takes multivitamin tablet every morning
D) Uses glucosamine and ginkgo biloba daily

Question 11

A patient who uses multiple herbal products is scheduled for knee replacement surgery.Which herbal products should the nurse instruct the patient to discontinue at least 2 to 3 weeks before surgery ?

A) Garlic
B) Ginger
C) Feverfew
D) Echinacea
E) Ginkgo biloba

Question 12

Which information should the nurse include when discussing the use of herbal remedies with a patient?

A) Many herbs are toxic and carcinogenic and should not be used.
B) Frequent medical evaluation is required when a person uses herbs.
C) Herbs should be purchased only from manufacturers with a history of quality control.
D) Herbs are no better than conventional drugs in maintaining health and may be less safe.

Question 13

The nurse teaches a patient about Healing Touch.Which statement by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A) "This therapy will realign your energy flow."
B) "I will start by manipulating your muscles and soft tissues."
C) "Pressure will be applied to body points where energy is obstructed."
D) "The treatment consists of passively moving joints through full range of motion."