Ignatavicius & Workman: Medical-Surgical Nursing: Critical Thinking

for Collaborative Care, 6th Edition

Test Bank
Chapter 2: Introduction to Complementary and Alternative Therapies
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which of the following are examples of low-risk complementary and alternative
therapies that nurses can use with their clients?
A. Music, relaxation, and touch
B. Acupuncture, massage, and imagery
C. Hypnotherapy, spirituality, and relaxation
D. Massage, acupressure, and music
ANS: A
Music, relaxation, and touch are low-risk complementary and alternative treatments that
can be used by nurses in a variety of settings. Treatments such as aromatherapy,
acupuncture, acupressure, and hypnotherapy are procedures that require additional
training.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge
TOP: Nursing Process Step:
Implementation
MSC: Client Needs Category: Physiological/Psychological Integrity
2. Which statement best describes the purpose of relaxation as an alternative or
complementary therapy?
A. Relaxation reduces physical, mental, and emotional tension.
B. Relaxation has been shown to increase immune system functioning.
C. Relaxation is used only for individuals undergoing painful procedures.
D. Relaxation is best suited to individuals who do not have a terminal diagnosis.
ANS: A
By reducing physical, mental, and emotional tension, relaxation is believed to result in
changes opposite those of the fight-or-flight mechanism.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Analysis
MSC: Client Needs Category: Psychological Integrity

3. A nurse is assisting a client preparing for surgery by using progressive muscle

relaxation. What rationale best supports the use of this complementary therapy at this
time?
A. This therapy rebalances or repatterns a persons energy field.
B. This therapy improves flexibility and assists with positioning during surgery.
C. This therapy is based on the theory that applying pressure releases congestion and
promotes energy flow.
D. This therapy provides the intentional tensing and releasing of successive muscle
groups, thereby promoting relaxation and decreasing anxiety.
ANS: D
Progressive muscle relaxation provides the intentional tensing and releasing of successive
muscle groups, thereby promoting relaxation and decreasing anxiety. Anxiety reduction
would be the best rationale for a client preparing for surgery. The repatterning of ones
energy field is associated with therapeutic touch and the application of pressure to release
congestion is associated with reflexology, whereas yoga is used to increase flexibility.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension TOP: Nursing Process Step:
Implementation
MSC: Client Needs Category: Psychological Integrity
4. A client tells a nurse that she is considering using herbal supplements in addition to
her prescription medications. What would be the nurses best response?
A. Herbs are not classified as drugs in the United States, so there is no contraindication
to using them.
B. Herbs have pharmacologic effects on the body and can interact with some
prescription medications.
C. It is never permissible to use herbal supplements with prescription medications.
D. I will refer you to an herbalist who can help you decide which medications you can
take.
ANS: B
Although herbs are not classified as drugs, they do possess pharmacologic properties. In
caring for clients, the nurse should inquire if the client takes herbal preparations and, if
so, for what purpose. Many herbal preparations have not been adequately studied and
some can interact with prescription medications, causing toxic effects.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application or higher
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity

5. A client with an aortic valve replacement is taking a daily dose of warfarin to prevent
clot formation. The client states that he is also taking ginkgo biloba to improve his
memory and concentration. What would be the nurses best response?
A. Inform the client that memory problems following valve replacement surgery are
common, but temporary.
B. Instruct the client that ginkgo biloba interacts with anticoagulant drugs and then
check for bruising or bleeding.
C. Inform the client that this drug combination is most effective if the ginkgo biloba is
taken twice daily.
D. Instruct the client to keep a record of episodes of forgetfulness or memory
disturbances to monitor effectiveness.
ANS: B
Clients need to be made aware of safety issues associated with the use of herbal
supplements. Many herbs interact with other medications. Taking ginkgo biloba with
warfarin increases the clients risk of bleeding; therefore, the client needs to be informed
of this and should be monitored for bruising or bleeding associated with the use of this
combination.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application or higher
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
6. Which of the following statements made by a client regarding complementary therapy
indicates a need for further clarification?
A. My doctor said it was okay to use complementary therapy for cancer treatment, so I
will cancel my radiation treatments.
B. Im hoping that massage therapy will help reduce the amount of pain medication I
use for my myalgia.
C. I think it helps me get better faster when I picture the drugs punching out the germs
in my body.
D. Prayer is a form of therapy.
ANS: A
Complementary therapies are intended to be used with, rather than to replace, traditional
forms of therapy to integrate the mind, body, and spirit into the healing process.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application or higher
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity

7.
A.
B.
C.
D.

Which of the following types of complementary therapy is considered low risk?

Acupuncture
Guided imagery
Spinal manipulation
Herbal preparations

ANS: B
Low-risk complementary therapies are those that are noninvasive, not ingested, and do
not manipulate bone or nerve position.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge
TOP: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: Client Needs Category: Safe, Effective Care Environment;
8. Which of the following therapies could be initiated by the medical-surgical nurse
without special training?
A. Acupuncture
B. Biofeedback
C. Hypnosis
D. Progressive muscle relaxation
ANS: D
Acupuncture is considered high risk and, along with hypnosis and biofeedback, requires
special training.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge
TOP: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: Client Needs Category: Psychological Integrity

9. Which activity by the nurse would be appropriate in caring for a client using
complementary therapies as a supplement to traditional treatment for cancer?
A. Instruct the client to make a follow-up appointment with the health care provider
after using alternative treatments to assess the clients response to the treatment.
B. Instruct the client never to use alternative or complementary treatments for serious
illnesses.
C. Explain to the client that physicians and nurses are not prepared to recommend and
monitor alternative treatments.
D. Explain to the client that physicians and nurses do not incorporate such treatments
into their practice.
ANS: A
Complementary or alternative treatments may be used in association with traditional
therapy. The client using complementary or alternative therapy should be advised to
make a follow-up visit with the health care provider to assess the clients response to the
therapy and to detect any adverse effects.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application or higher
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
OTHER
1. During an initial health assessment interview with Mrs. Andersen, the nurse learns
that she is taking warfarin (Coumadin) for a history of deep vein thromboses. Later,
she states that she takes several herbal preparations. Which of the following herbal
preparations would the nurse caution her to avoid? (Select all that apply.)
A. Ginkgo biloba
B.
Echinacea
C.
Garlic
D.
Ginseng
E.
Saw palmetto
ANS:
A, D
Rationale: Ginkgo biloba and ginseng may increase the anticoagulant effects of warfarin.
Garlic may cause bleeding if used with antiplatelet agents, and St. John's wort has no
known impact on blood clotting or antiplatelet activity.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
TOP: Nursing Process Step:
Implementation
MSC: Client Needs Category: Safe, Effective Care Environment;

2. A nurse observes Mr. Wilson getting out of a chair with difficulty, which he says is
from stiffness in his joints. Which of the following complementary or alternative
therapies would the nurse recommend that he use to improve his joint mobility?
(Select all that apply.)
A. Imagery
B.
Animal-assisted therapy
C.
Tai Chi
D.
Aromatherapy
E.
Magnet therapy
ANS:
C
Rationale: Imagery has been used successfully to reduce pain, nausea and vomiting, and
anxiety. Animal-assisted therapy is generally used with clients who need to improve
motor skills or the ability to concentrate. Magnet therapy is used primarily to relieve
chronic pain. Aromatherapy uses essential oils to achieve relaxation, improve
concentration, and ease depression. Tai Chi is an active, holistic therapy that integrates
body movements, concentration, muscle relaxation, and breathing to improve body
function such as flexibility and posture.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: Client Needs Category: Safe, Effective Care Environment;
3. A client experiencing nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy for cancer might
benefit from which of the following alternative or complementary therapies? (Select
all that apply.)
A. Acupuncture
B.
Meditation
C.
Imagery
D.
Journaling
E.
Magnet therapy
ANS:
A, C
Rationale: Acupuncture and imagery have been frequently used to help clients reduce
nausea and vomiting. Meditation, journaling, and magnet therapy are more useful for
chronic pain, hypertension, and improving emotional health.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension TOP: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: Client Needs Category: Safe, Effective Care Environment;