Chapter 11: Complementary and Alternative Healing

Cherry & Jacob: Contemporary Nursing: Issues, Trends, and Management, 7th Edition

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1.A patient observes the practitioner burning a dried herb on the needle during an acupuncture session and asks about this practice. The practitioner responds, “I am inciting the acupuncture points and this is referred to as:

a. doshas.”

b. moxibustion.”

c. yoga.”

d. kapha.”

ANS: B

Applying heat to the acupoints is termed moxibustion.

DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 205

2.An older adult has atrial fibrillation, which causes the heart to have an irregular rhythm. The client uses imagery to alter the dysrhythmia. The client is using which type of complementary alternative medicine (CAM)?

a. Ayurveda

b. Dosha

c. Homeopathy

d. Biofeedback

ANS: D

Biofeedback is a type of mind-body intervention that is based on techniques in which the client is taught to alter specific bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension. The client uses various relaxation and imagery exercises to produce desired responses.

DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 207

3.A patient with kyphosis is visiting a practitioner of chiropractic medicine for the first time and asks, “How does this therapy work?” The practitioner replies, “I will use my hands along with heat to correct the misalignment of your spine by placing pressure on the nerves that have produced pain. The misalignment of your spine is referred to as:

a. subluxation.”

b. a sprain.”

c. a fracture.”

d. epicondylitis.”

ANS: A

The chiropractor corrects misalignments of the spine, called subluxations, by putting pressure on the nerves that are causing pain.

DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 207

4.A young adult on a limited income who is having back pain states, “I want to see a chiropractor, but I don’t have any money. However, I do have health insurance.” The most appropriate response that the nurse can provide is:

a. “most insurance companies will pay for chiropractic treatment.”

b. “because chiropractors are not licensed in any state, all services must be paid for by the patient.”

c. “chiropractic medicine is a new CAM therapy that has not yet been recognized by insurance companies.”

d. “chiropractic medicine is more than 100 years old, but because it is preventive in nature, it is not covered by most insurance.”

ANS: A

Chiropractic medicine is performed by a licensed professional with reimbursement privileges and is an accepted complementary alternative medicine (CAM) therapy.

DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 207

5.The use of plants in conventional modern medicine is evidenced by the drug atropine, which is derived from which plant?

a. Digitalis purpurea

b. Cephaelis ipecacuanha

c. Rauwolfia serpentina

d. Atropa belladonna

ANS: D

Atropine is derived from the Atropa belladonna plant; it primarily affects the parasympathetic nervous system.

DIF: Knowledge REF: p. 207

6.The massage therapist uses kinesthesia, or thinking about how movement is expressed, to correct habits that cause poor posture and limited movement. This type of massage is called:

a. Alexander technique.

b. Feldenkrais method.

c. healing touch.

d. Reiki.

ANS: A

The Alexander technique teaches improved balance, posture, and coordination through gentle hands-on guidance and verbal instruction.

DIF:ComprehensionREF:p. 214, Box 11-5

7.A nurse practices a relaxing massage technique to stimulate and apply pressure to the feet or hands, increasing blood supply circulation to various parts of the body and relieving pain. The massage technique used by the practitioner is referred to as:

a. reflexology.

b. Feldenkrais method.

c. Reiki.

d. Rolfing.

ANS: A

Reflexology produces pain relief through pressure applied to pressure points on the hands and feet that correspond to various parts of the body.

DIF:ComprehensionREF:p. 214, Box 11-5

8.A patient is placed on reserpine (Serpalan) to decrease mild anxiety and treat hypertension. The patient researches the medication on the Internet and finds that this medication comes from which plant?

a. Atropa belladonna

b. Digitalis purpurea

c. Rauwolfia serpentina

d. Cephaelis ipecacuanha

ANS: C

The drug reserpine is derived from the plant known as Rauwolfia serpentina. It was used to treat depression in the past but currently is used in the treatment of hypertension.

DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 207

9.A person who is recovering from a stroke is becoming more forgetful and is unable to recall people’s names. A friend suggests the use of a natural ingredient, ginkgo biloba. The nurse is concerned about the most serious risk associated with this herb, which is:

a. thromboembolism due to increased clotting.

b. seizures due to interaction with anticonvulsants.

c. hypertension due to sodium retention.

d. photosensitivity due to increased melanin production.

ANS: B

Ginkgo reduces the efficacy of anticonvulsants, which may lead to increased seizure activity.

DIF: Comprehension REF: pp. 207-208, Box 11-2

10.An older adult woman who stops using complementary alternative medicine (CAM) becomes disoriented and is given a diagnosis of dementia. The family is upset with the family physician and the CAM practitioner for not diagnosing the condition earlier. Which CAM may have interfered with early detection of the dementia?

a. Large doses of calcium caused cerebral plaques to form, thereby disguising atrophy of the brain.

b. Excess doses of folic acid masked a vitamin B12 deficiency that led to dementia.

c. Hypnotherapy focused on current pleasant thoughts, eliminating clues to the past.

d. The electrical current from magnetic fields interfered with normal brain waves, resulting in confusion and inability to concentrate.

ANS: B

Individuals with Alzheimer’s often have low levels of vitamin B12; thus, large doses of folic acid may have masked the dementia.

DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 207

11.The nurse who presents a class on different methods of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) differentiates between imagery and hypnosis in which of the following ways?

a. Imagery involves the dependent mental construction of a picture, whereas hypnosis requires the patient to recall and verbally describe difficult times in his or her life.

b. Hypnosis requires a trained psychologist, but imagery can be performed by any health care practitioner.

c. Imagery produces a temporary sense of well-being compared with hypnosis, which evokes a permanent positive effect.

d. Although both therapies focus on specific problems and guide the patient into relaxation, imagery requires the patient to formulate the impression, whereas the hypnotist constructs the image for the patient.

ANS: D

Both imagery and relaxation are used to reduce anxiety and stress; however, imagery begins with a goal that is to be achieved and a picture that is formulated by the person under treatment, rather than beginning with the hypnotist, who conjures up a desirable image.

DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 210

12.A pregnant woman reports back pain and wants to try a complementary alternative medicine (CAM) therapy. The nurse knows that which CAM would be contraindicated?

a. Magnet therapy

b. Aromatherapy

c. Imagery

d. Therapeutic touch

ANS: A

The effect of magnets on fetal growth has not been determined.

DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 210

13.Despite the presence of safety aids such as handrails in the bathrooms at an assisted living facility, the number of fractures due to unsteady ambulation upon arising from the bed and when attempting to perform activities of daily living has increased. Which complementary alternative medicine (CAM) would be an effective intervention for this population?

a. Yoga

b. Acupuncture

c. Tai chi

d. Magnet therapy

ANS: C

Tai chi improves coordination, thereby reducing the number of falls and improving gait.

DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 213

14.A patient informs the nurse, “I burn a lavender-scented candle for an hour before bedtime to help me relax and sleep.” The nurse realizes this patient is using:

a. the mind-body intervention of aromatherapy.

b. an energy technique known as qi gong.

c. the manipulative method using the Alexander technique.

d. conventional medicine, also called allopathic.

ANS: A

Aromatherapy uses scents of essential oils and is a type of mind-body interaction.

DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 203 |p. 205, Box 11-1

15.The nurse caring for a patient who practices Ayurveda would assess for:

a. an increased stool osmolality gap resulting from dehydration.

b. petechiae resulting from fine-needle punctures.

c. use of over-the-counter remedies intended for intended symptom.

d. magnets strategically placed on affected joints.

ANS: A

Individuals practicing Ayurveda may use detoxification and cleansing enemas resulting in dehydration, which increases stool osmolality.

DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 206