Deck 14: Complementary and Alternative Strategies

Question 1

A nurse is instructing a person on the use of breath meditation. Which of the following instructions would the nurse give the person?

A) "You may use this form of meditation when walking down the street."
B) "The best time of day to engage in this form of meditation is while you are eating."
C) "Watching the sunset and reflecting on its beauty is a great way to use breath meditation."
D) "It is important to observe your breathing when using this technique."

Answer 1

"It is important to observe your breathing when using this technique."

Question 2

A nurse is performing therapeutic touch with a person. Which of the following would be the first action that the nurse would take?

A) Centering
B) Movement of hands above the body
C) Treatment technique
D) Attunement

Answer 2

Centering

Question 3

A nurse would like to include holistic nursing care in her nursing practice. Which of the following actions must the nurse take first?

A) Learn the specific therapy method.
B) Engage in self-exploration.
C) Explore the various types of complementary therapies available.
D) Ask the person which type of therapy he or she prefers.

Answer 3

Engage in self-exploration.

Question 4

A nurse discussing aromatherapy at a community health fair. Which of the following aspects of this technique should be stressed?

A) Aromatherapy can be used by individuals without special training.
B) Aromatherapy is a recently developed therapy based on the work of contemporary natural healers.
C) Aromatherapy uses herbal scents in candles or incense as the primary method of delivery.
D) Aromatherapy can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Question 5

The nurse is asked to explain acupuncture to a person. Which of the following statements concerning acupuncture would the nurse include in the explanation?

A) Acupuncture is accomplished by inserting very fine needles into various areas of subcutaneous tissue.
B) Acupuncture can be used to either diagnose or treat a health deviation.
C) The main focus of acupuncture is to relieve stress.
D) Moxibustion is the term used to describe a disturbed energy flow, which results in disease.

Question 6

The nurse has just discussed reflexology with an individual. Which of the following statements would the person make that demonstrates that learning has taken place?

A) Reflexology is a therapy that uses upper back massage to control tension and stress.
B) Reflexology uses massage of acupressure points to optimize positive energy flow.
C) Reflexology uses pressure applied to specific hand and foot areas to relieve tension.
D) Reflexology uses a squeezing or stretching motion to hands or feet to restore a positive energy flow.

Question 7

Which of the following statements best defines the concept of holistic nursing care?

A) Holistic nursing care is a family-centered approach to care.
B) Holistic nursing care relies primarily on alternative medicine.
C) Holistic nursing care takes into consideration all aspects of a person's life.
D) Holistic nursing care focuses on wellness rather than illness.

Question 8

A nurse is teaching a person about the technique of breath meditation. Which of the following aspects of this technique should the nurse stress to the person?

A) Hold your breath for short amounts of time in order to regulate your breathing pattern.
B) Focus on calming thoughts that come to mind during the meditation.
C) Practice this technique when sitting or walking.
D) Concentrate on the sensations associated with breathing.

Question 9

The nurse is conducting a community health education program concerning alternative/complementary therapies. Which of the following should be included in the presentation?

A) Alternative/complementary therapy is primarily used when conventional medicine has failed to achieve desired results.
B) Alternative/complementary therapy is used in both hospital and outpatient settings.
C) Alternative/complementary therapy was popular in the late 1980s but is rarely used today.
D) Alternative/complementary therapy primarily focuses on herbal remedies for common health deviations.

Question 10

In contrast to holistic health care, Western or allopathic medicine focuses on the:

A) mind-body connection.
B) impact of family relationships on health-seeking behaviors.
C) physical aspects of health deviations.
D) environmental impact on health.

Question 11

A person asks the nurse to explain the difference between acupuncture and acupressure. Which statement would be the appropriate response by the nurse?

A) Acupressure uses massage and oil aromatherapy to stimulate meridian points.
B) Acupuncture has been shown to relieve nausea and vomiting, but acupressure is not effective in relieving these symptoms.
C) Acupressure stimulates meridian points by using pressing and stretching movements.
D) Acupressure is achieved by applying more pressure to the fine needles inserted as part of acupuncture.

Question 12

A nurse has completed an educational session about touch therapy with a group of adults. Which of the following statements made by an individual would demonstrate understanding of this topic?

A) "Research has shown that touch therapy is effective because it relieves stress and tension."
B) "Touch therapy is effective because deep massage relaxes muscles."
C) "During touch therapy the therapist's hands may not actually touch me."
D) "It is the massage skill of the therapist that produces the positive benefits of touch therapy."

Question 13

A nurse working at a holistic health center is asked by a person with severe rheumatoid arthritis if yoga would be a realistic therapy choice. Which of the following would be the best response by the nurse?

A) "Let's discuss other alternative therapies. Yoga involves positioning that you might not be able to do."
B) "Hatha yoga would be a great therapy option because it involves mediation rather than positioning."
C) "There are many types of yoga that would be realistic for you to try. Let's talk about the types that would be suited to your needs."
D) "I will ask the instructor teaching karma yoga if there is room in her class for you. I think that you would enjoy this type of yoga."

Question 14

A nurse is describing how energy flow can affect health and well-being. Which of the following examples would the nurse discuss when sharing how energy flow can become chaotic?

A) Believing that one has been abandoned by God
B) Reestablishing contact with a friend who has recently moved back into the area
C) Recovering from an acute illness
D) Walking one mile a day

Question 15

A person wishes to participate in a therapy involving energy utilization and dietary design. Which of the following therapies would the nurse recommend to the person?

A) Polarity therapy
B) Reiki
C) Qi gong
D) Pranic healing

Question 16

The nurse is assisting an individual who is interested in music therapy. Which of the following statements made by the person indicates an understanding of this type of therapy?

A) "I will select the music I listen to carefully. Energetic or rap music is not a good choice."
B) "I will need to find someone who has specialized in this type of therapy for best results."
C) "Chants, electronic sounds, or 'designer music' is generally the best choice."
D) "The music I choose may be different than what my spouse prefers."

Question 17

The nurse is teaching imagery as a method to reduce anxiety in preoperative individuals. Which of the following aspects should the nurse stress when teaching this technique?

A) The benefits of guided imagery are primarily psychological.
B) This technique promotes a sense of well-being.
C) A "prayer circle" is needed for imagery to be most effective.
D) Imagery produces only beneficial, calming results.

Question 18

An individual asks the nurse to explain yoga. Which of the following statements would be made by the nurse?

A) Yoga requires the ability to assume and maintain certain poses.
B) There are many different types of yoga.
C) Yoga is the most strenuous of the movement therapies.
D) The major benefit of yoga is an increase in physical exercise and flexibility.

Question 19

Which of the following complementary/alternative therapies involves emphasizing healthy lifestyle, strengthening and cleansing the body, and noninvasive treatments?

A) Homeopathy
B) Naturopathy
C) Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
D) Ayurvedic medicine

Question 20

A nurse is discussing holistic health care with an individual. Which of the following explanations should the nurse include in this discussion?

A) Empirical research has consistently demonstrated the value of alternative/complementary therapy.
B) Self-reports of stress relief related to alternative/complementary therapy are numerous.
C) The majority of research related to alternative/complementary therapy has utilized the scientific method.
D) Research has, to date, been unable to verify the effectiveness of alternative/complementary therapy on health and well-being.

Question 21

A nurse consultant is helping redesign a pediatric unit which is undergoing renovation. Which actions by the nurse consultant are congruent with creating a positive energy force in the unit? (select all that apply)

A) Selecting energizing colors for the playroom and soothing colors for the exam rooms
B) Planning for a music source for all rooms
C) Reducing the amount of natural light on the unit to promote relaxation
D) Planning for an atrium garden in the center of the unit

Question 22

A 66-year-old woman with osteoarthritis of the knees and hands tells the nurse she is interested in movement therapy. Which of the following would be the most appropriate for the nurse to suggest to this person? (select all that apply)

A) Tai Chi
B) Hatha yoga
C) Qi gong
D) Dance therapy

Question 23

During an alternative therapy conference, a nurse attends a session related to massage therapy. Which of the following statements made by the presenter should the nurse question? (select all that apply)

A) "Massage therapy is most useful for individuals who are between the ages of 13 and 60."
B) "Massage therapy involves the use of lotion or powder."
C) "Several massage techniques can be used, including kneading and pinching the skin."
D) "Massage therapy is best used by a licensed massage therapist."

Question 24

A nurse is caring for a Hispanic individual. Which question should the nurse ask the person during the assessment process?

A) "How many herbal medicines do you take?"
B) "You cannot use any herbal products in the hospital. Did you bring any?"
C) "Herbal products interact with medicine, so you cannot continue to use the herbal products. Which ones do you use?"
D) "Tell me how you treat your asthma at home. What treatments work especially well for you?"

Question 25

Which of the following people are participating in alternative/complementary therapies? (select all that apply)

A) A 15-year-old who listens to rap music to lessen anxiety related to a painful dressing change
B) A 45-year-old who burns lavender-scented candles while meditating
C) A 7-year-old who draws as a means of communicating feelings
D) A 78-year-old who practices yoga to increase balance
E) None of above

Question 26

A nurse is providing education about safety precautions for people to take when using complementary/alternative medicine (CAM). Which of the following information would be included in this presentation?

A) Most treatments are covered by insurance.
B) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates the quality of dietary supplements.
C) It is important to research and understand the treatment before starting to use it.
D) There are minimal interactions between the treatments prescribed by allopathic and holistic medicine providers.

Question 27

The nurse has formulated a nursing diagnosis for a person with carpal tunnel syndrome of "Energy Field Disturbance r/t Slowing or Blocking of Energy Flow Secondary to Repetitive Motion Injury." Which of the following actions must the nurse take first when planning interventions for this person?

A) Move his or her hands over the person.
B) Obtain permission to use healing touch therapy.
C) Explain healing touch therapy.
D) Focus on the area of disturbed energy flow.

Question 28

Which of the following describes a nurse who is "being with" the client?

A) Answers a call bell
B) Completes a dressing change
C) Silently prays with a client when requested to do so
D) Teaches a client about his or her medication regime