A nurse is counseling a client who wants to use naturopathy as an alternative medicine for his diabetes mellitus. Which of the following statements by the nurse is appropriate?

The correct answer is

A. Naturopathy is a system that uses natural remedies to support the body's self-healing ability

Choice A: Naturopathy is a system that uses natural remedies to support the body's self-healing ability. Naturopathy is based on the principle that the body has an innate power to heal itself, and that disease is a result of an imbalance or obstruction of this vital force. Naturopathy aims to restore health by using natural substances and methods, such as herbs, nutrition, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, acupuncture, and lifestyle counseling. This statement is correct and does not indicate a need for further teaching.

Choice B: Naturopathy is not a system that uses manipulation techniques to correct structural problems in the body. This description applies to chiropractic, which is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, especially those of the spine. Chiropractors use manual adjustments or other devices to manipulate the spine and other joints, with the aim of improving nerve function, reducing pain, and restoring mobility.

Choice C: Naturopathy is not a system that uses energy fields to balance and harmonize the body. This description applies to energy therapies, which are a type of complementary and alternative medicine that involve the use of energy fields. Energy therapies include biofield therapies, such as Reiki, therapeutic touch, and qi gong, and bioelectromagneticbased therapies, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternatingcurrent or directcurrent fields. Energy therapies are intended to affect energy fields that surround and penetrate the human body, or to use electromagnetic fields to stimulate biological processes.

Choice D: Naturopathy is not a system that uses whole medical systems from different cultures to treat diseases. This description applies to integrative medicine, which is an approach that combines conventional medicine with complementary and alternative medicine from various traditions and disciplines. Integrative medicine may include practices from traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, Native American medicine, Tibetan medicine, and others.

The correct answer is

C. Lowering systolic blood pressure by reducing sympathetic nervous system activity.

Choice A: Lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. This statement is partially correct, but not the best answer. Yoga may help lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels, but this is not the main mechanism of action. Yoga may relax blood vessels by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. However, the main effect of yoga on blood pressure is mediated by the nervous system, not the vascular system.

Choice B: Raising systolic and diastolic blood pressure by increasing cardiac output. This statement is incorrect. Yoga does not raise blood pressure by increasing cardiac output but rather lowers blood pressure by decreasing cardiac output. Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute, and it depends on the heart rate and the stroke volume. Yoga can lower the heart rate by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which slows down the heart and reduces stress hormones. Yoga can also lower the stroke volume by reducing blood volume and venous return, as a result of improved kidney function and fluid balance.

Choice C: Lowering systolic blood pressure by reducing sympathetic nervous system activity. This statement is correct. Yoga can lower systolic blood pressure by reducing sympathetic nervous system activity, which is the main cause of hypertension in most cases. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the fightorflight response, which prepares the body for action by increasing the heart rate, constricting the blood vessels, and releasing stress hormones. Yoga can reduce sympathetic nervous system activity by using breathing exercises, meditation, and relaxation techniques that calm the mind and body. Systolic blood pressure is more sensitive to sympathetic nervous system activity than diastolic blood pressure, because it reflects the peak pressure in the arteries during each heartbeat.

Choice D: Raising diastolic blood pressure by stimulating reninangiotensinaldosterone system. This statement is incorrect. Yoga does not raise diastolic blood pressure by stimulating reninangiotensinaldosterone system, but rather lowers diastolic blood pressure by inhibiting reninangiotensinaldosterone system. The reninangiotensinaldosterone system is a hormonal system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance. It involves the production of renin, a hormone that converts angiotensinogen into angiotensin I, which is then converted into angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor that raises blood pressure. Angiotensin II also stimulates the release of aldosterone, a hormone that increases sodium and water retention in the kidneys, which also raises blood pressure. Yoga can inhibit reninangiotensinaldosterone system by reducing stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, which stimulate renin production.