Chapter 08: Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Chapter 08: Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. A patient with chronic back pain that is unrelieved by prescription analgesic medications asks a primary care nurse practitioner (NP) about acupuncture treatments. The NP should tell this patient:

ANS:  D

Current literature does not allow definitive conclusions to be drawn regarding the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) because much of what appears in the literature continues to be based on observational reports and small studies. Biofield therapy has not been shown to be more effective than acupuncture. Creatine is used to increase muscle mass.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)                           REF:   93

2. A primary care NP is aware that many patients in the community use herbal remedies to treat various conditions. The NP understands the importance of:

ANS:  A

It is important for primary care providers to be familiar with these products and their ingredients so that they can help patients choose the safest product for their ailments. Because there are few evidence-based recommendations for the use of these products, NPs should not prescribe them. Counseling patients to stop using the products would probably not be effective; it is more important to know about the products to assist patients in decision making. Although it is true that the products are not directly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are agencies that maintain safety of the products.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)                           REF:   94

3. A patient has been using an herbal supplement for 2 years that the primary care NP knows may have toxic side effects. The NP should:

ANS:  B

It is important for primary care NPs to inform patients of any known risks associated with herbal supplements. Asking the patient to stop an herbal remedy immediately when the patient has been using it for 2 years would probably be met with resistance. The NP should realize that referral to a CAM provider can incur legal liabilities if the CAM provider does not have proper competencies and licensure. Likewise, unless there is evidence-based documentation about the safety and efficacy of a product, the NP should not prescribe these therapies.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)                           REF:   94