Author Question: A nurse is working with a family that uses multiple complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) ... (Read 58 times)

penza · **on:** Jun 28, 2018

A nurse is working with a family that uses multiple complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities. What action by the nurse is best?

A.
Allow the family to continue these practices as desired.
B.
Assess how these practices reflect religious beliefs.
C.
Inform the family that most of these practices do not work.
D.
Provide evidence-based information about the therapies.

Question 2

A patient wishes to use complementary therapy when managing a chronic health condition. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

A.
Advise the patient that stopping medical treatment may cause it to worsen.
B.
Inform the patient that there are no complementary therapies for this condition.
C.
Investigate herbs that can be substituted for prescription drugs.
D.
Suggest the patient add massage therapy to the medical regimen.

stano32 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 28, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
The nurse working with individuals or families who use CAM practices should respect the beliefs, values, and desires of the patient. The nurse should encourage families to make decisions regarding CAM practices based on evidence and research into their effects. The nurse can best assist in this by providing and discussing information. Although the nurse cannot stop the family from using CAM, he or she should not pass up the teaching opportunity. Many CAM practices have demonstrated benefit, so telling the family they don't work is false information. A culturally competent nurse will assess how religious and spiritual beliefs affect health-care practices, but the nurse needs to advocate for the patient/family by providing solid information.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Complementary therapy is nontraditional treatment that is used in addition to traditional medical care. Alternative therapies are used in place of traditional therapies. Adding massage to the medical regimen is an example of using complementary therapy. Substituting herbs for prescription medication is an example of alternative therapy. Because the patient is asking about complementary therapy, there is no need to warn him or her of the effects of stopping treatment. There are always complementary therapies that can be added to a medical regimen.