Deck 80: Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Question 1

A long-term outcome for an individual who is learning relaxation therapy is

A) Identifying tension in his body and consciously releasing the tension.
B) Having no tension in his life.
C) Increasing delta brain activity.
D) Increasing the focus on himself.

Answer 1

A
Long-term relaxation therapy focuses on active recognition and release of stress.It is not realistic to expect a tension-free life.Delta brain waves are high-amplitude brain waves associated with the deepest stages of sleep.The outcome of relaxation therapy is not to put a person to sleep or to increase the focus on self.

Question 2

Which medication could cause an abnormal drug interaction in a patient taking an antidepressant medication?

A) Digoxin
B) Aspirin
C) Chamomile
D) Ginger

Answer 2

C
Chamomile is known to cause drowsiness.Other herbal supplements can affect serotonin levels in the brain and can affect antidepressant medication.A patient should check with a provider before combining herbal supplements with medications.Antidepressants do not interact with digoxin,aspirin,or ginger.

Question 3

The 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act impacted herbal therapies in what way?

A) Allowed for labeling of herbal medicines as safe
B) Allowed herbs to be sold as dietary supplements
C) Classified herbs as beneficial, harmful, or neutral
D) Classified herbs as "natural" foods

Answer 3

B
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 allowed companies to sell herbs as dietary supplements as long as no health claims are written on their labels.Herbal medicines do not undergo the same rigorous research as pharmaceuticals,so most have not received approval for use as drugs and are not regulated.Therefore,they cannot be labeled as "safe." Herbs do not come with classification systems.Herbal supplements come in a variety of packages,elixirs,pills,salves,and tinctures,and being labeled a dietary supplement does not necessarily imply that the supplement is a food product.

Question 4

The complementary and alternative therapy that is known to alter immune function is which of the following?

A) Biofeedback
B) Imagery
C) Breath work
D) Acupuncture

Question 5

An acquaintance of a nurse asks for a nonmedical approach for excessive worry and work stress.The most appropriate CAM therapy that the nurse can recommend is

A) Meditation
B) Ayurvedic herbs
C) Acupuncture
D) Chiropractic therapy

Question 6

A teen with an anxiety disorder is referred for biofeedback because her parents do not want her on anxiolytics.The nurse recognizes that the teen understands her health education on biofeedback when she states,"Biofeedback will

A) Allow me to direct my energies in an intentional way when stressed."
B) Allow me to manipulate my stressed out joints."
C) Help me with my thoughts, feelings, and physiological responses to stress."
D) Let me assess and redirect my energy fields."

Question 7

The therapy that is more effective in treating physical ailments than in preventing disease or managing chronic illness is _____ medicine.

A) Allopathic
B) Complementary
C) Alternative
D) Mind-body

Question 8

The organization that facilitates the evaluation of alternative medical treatments is the

A) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
B) American Holistic Nurses Association.
C) Food and Drug Administration.
D) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Question 9

A basic foundational principle of chiropractic care is that

A) Structure and function coexist.
B) Chiropractic care is risk free.
C) Human beings need external hands-on care to be healthiest.
D) Subluxation will cause permanently restricted joint movement.

Question 10

A 70-year-old patient is newly admitted to a skilled nursing facility with the diagnoses of Alzheimer's dementia,lipidemia,and hypertension,and a history of pulmonary embolism.Medications brought on admission included lisinopril,hydrochlorothiazide,warfarin,low-dose aspirin,ginkgo biloba,and echinacea.The nurse contacts the patient's medical provider over which potential drug-drug interaction?

A) Lisinopril and echinacea
B) Warfarin and ginkgo biloba
C) Echinacea and warfarin
D) Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide

Question 11

The group leader is overheard saying to the gathering of patients,"Focus on your breathing once again…notice how it is regular…Now focus on your left arm…Notice how relaxed your left arm feels…Notice the relaxation going down the left arm to the hand." The nursing student asks the nursing preceptor what the unit group leader is doing.The best answer is which of the following?

A) Group psychotherapy
B) Progressive relaxation training
C) Meditation
D) Group biofeedback

Question 12

In a cardiac dysrhythmia clinic,a patient inquires about using acupuncture to help alleviate stress.The nurse's best answer is which of the following?

A) "It is acceptable, but do not use electro-acupuncture."
B) "It is very clearly contraindicated."
C) "Do not allow needles near the heart."
D) "You do not look like you have an infection, so it will be OK."

Question 13

During a relaxation therapy skills group,the instructor discusses the cognitive skill of learning to tolerate uncertain and unfamiliar experiences.This best describes the skill of

A) Mindfulness.
B) Focusing.
C) Passivity.
D) Receptivity.

Question 14

A holistic nurse would be a nurse who

A) Recommends a vegan diet for all patients.
B) Recognizes the mind-body-spirit connection.
C) Provides spiritual literature to patients.
D) Knows about resources for fresh herbs.

Question 15

Physiological symptoms of a stress response include all of the following except

A) Constricted pupils.
B) Tachycardia.
C) Tachypnea.
D) Elevated blood pressure.

Question 16

A therapeutic touch practitioner scans the patient's body to identify what?

A) Blocked chakra
B) Accumulated tension
C) The flow of Qi
D) Structural and functional imbalance

Question 17

A patient asks about the new clinic in town that is staffed by allopathic and complementary practitioners.The nurse recognizes that the patient is most likely asking about which clinic?

A) Integrative medical clinic
B) Ayurvedic clinic
C) Naturopathic medical clinic
D) Healing intention clinic

Question 18

A patient describes practicing a complementary and alternative therapy involving concentrating and controlling his respiratory rate and pattern,recognizing that breath work is to yoga as

A) The "zone" is to acupressure.
B) Massage therapy is to Ayurveda.
C) Reiki therapy is to therapeutic touch.
D) Prayer is to tai chi.

Question 19

One benefit of meditation over other forms of behavioral therapy is that meditation

A) Improves communication skills.
B) Cures hypertension.
C) Does not require memorization.
D) Balances insulin and other body hormones.

Question 20

Drawbacks of complementary and alternative therapies would be all of the following except

A) Lack of evidence-based guidelines.
B) Minimal supportive research studies.
C) Strong support by allopathic medical providers.
D) Lack of a long tradition of therapies taught in health care education.