Kozier & Erb's Fundamentals of Nursing 10th Edition by Shirlee Snyder,Audrey Berman,Geralyn Frandsen

Exercise 1

Tim Le is a 68-year-old accountant who has been diagnosed with gastric cancer. He lost a great deal of weight before the diagnosis and during treatment with chemotherapy and radiation. He is now admitted to the hospital with pain and weakness preventing him from working or performing many activities of daily living. His wife, Susan, stays with him the majority of the day. His elderly parents visit often and bring him homemade food and drink. They do not speak English. In the process of placing bathing items in Tim's bedside stand, the nurse notes several plastic bags of a tea-like product in the drawer.
What aspects of this case suggest that it would be appropriate for the nurse to discuss the use of alternative therapies with the client or family?