Chapter 40. Complementary Therapies and Integrative Health
1. A nursing instructor is teaching about complementary therapies. Which student
statement indicates that learning has occurred?
a. "Complementary therapies view all humans as being biologically similar."
b. "Complementary therapies view a person as a combination of multiple integrated
elements."
c. "Complementary therapies focus primarily on the structure and functions of the
body."
d. "Complementary therapies view disease as a deviation from a normal biological
state."
Answer: B
Complementary therapies view a person as a holistic combination of physical,
emotional, and spiritual elements, used alongside conventional medicine. They do not
treat all humans as biologically uniform (A), focus primarily on body structure and
function (C), or frame disease as a deviation from normal biological state, which is a
conventional/allopathic view (D).
2. A client reports taking St. John's wort for depression and says, "I'm taking the
recommended dose, but it seems like if two capsules are good, four would be better!"
Which is the most appropriate nursing reply?
a. "Herbal medicines are more likely to cause adverse reactions than prescription
medications."
, b. "Increasing the amount of herbal preparations can lead to overdose and toxicity."
c. "The FDA does not regulate herbal remedies; therefore, ingredients are often
unknown."
d. "Certain companies are better than others. Always buy a reputable brand."
Answer: B
St. John's wort is considered safe at the recommended dose of 900 mg/day and
should not be combined with other psychotropic medications; exceeding that dose
risks overdose and toxicity. Herbal medicines are not inherently riskier than
prescription drugs (A). While it's true the FDA doesn't regulate herbal remedies (C) and
buying a reputable brand is sound general advice (D), neither addresses the client's
immediate plan to double the dose.
3. A client with chronic lower back pain states, "My nurse practitioner told me that
acupuncture might enhance the effect of the medications and physical therapy
prescribed." Which type of therapy is the nurse practitioner recommending?
a. Alternative therapy
b. Physiotherapy
c. Complementary therapy
d. Biopsychosocial therapy
Answer: C
Acupuncture used alongside medication and physical therapy is a complementary
therapy based on ancient Chinese philosophy and effective for pain conditions.
1. A nursing instructor is teaching about complementary therapies. Which student
statement indicates that learning has occurred?
a. "Complementary therapies view all humans as being biologically similar."
b. "Complementary therapies view a person as a combination of multiple integrated
elements."
c. "Complementary therapies focus primarily on the structure and functions of the
body."
d. "Complementary therapies view disease as a deviation from a normal biological
state."
Answer: B
Complementary therapies view a person as a holistic combination of physical,
emotional, and spiritual elements, used alongside conventional medicine. They do not
treat all humans as biologically uniform (A), focus primarily on body structure and
function (C), or frame disease as a deviation from normal biological state, which is a
conventional/allopathic view (D).
2. A client reports taking St. John's wort for depression and says, "I'm taking the
recommended dose, but it seems like if two capsules are good, four would be better!"
Which is the most appropriate nursing reply?
a. "Herbal medicines are more likely to cause adverse reactions than prescription
medications."
, b. "Increasing the amount of herbal preparations can lead to overdose and toxicity."
c. "The FDA does not regulate herbal remedies; therefore, ingredients are often
unknown."
d. "Certain companies are better than others. Always buy a reputable brand."
Answer: B
St. John's wort is considered safe at the recommended dose of 900 mg/day and
should not be combined with other psychotropic medications; exceeding that dose
risks overdose and toxicity. Herbal medicines are not inherently riskier than
prescription drugs (A). While it's true the FDA doesn't regulate herbal remedies (C) and
buying a reputable brand is sound general advice (D), neither addresses the client's
immediate plan to double the dose.
3. A client with chronic lower back pain states, "My nurse practitioner told me that
acupuncture might enhance the effect of the medications and physical therapy
prescribed." Which type of therapy is the nurse practitioner recommending?
a. Alternative therapy
b. Physiotherapy
c. Complementary therapy
d. Biopsychosocial therapy
Answer: C
Acupuncture used alongside medication and physical therapy is a complementary
therapy based on ancient Chinese philosophy and effective for pain conditions.
