A nurse is reviewing the medical history of a client who practices Ayurveda as a form of traditional medicine. The nurse should understand that Ayurveda is based on which of the following concepts?

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.

The correct answer is

D. Homeopathy can treat the root cause of my depression.

Choice A: Homeopathy is based on the principle that cures like. This means that a substance that can produce symptoms in a healthy person can cure similar symptoms in a sick person. For example, coffee can cause insomnia in some people, so homeopathy may use a very diluted form of coffee to treat insomnia¹². This statement is correct and does not indicate a need for further teaching.

Choice B: Homeopathy uses very diluted substances to treat diseases. Homeopathy believes that the more a substance is diluted, the more potent it becomes. Homeopathic remedies are prepared by repeatedly diluting and shaking (succussing) a substance in water or alcohol until there is little or no trace of the original substance left. The dilution is often indicated by a number and a letter, such as 6C or 30X¹². This statement is correct and does not indicate a need for further teaching.

Choice C: Homeopathy can be used along with conventional antidepressants. Homeopathy is considered complementary medicine, which means that it can be used together with other treatments, such as conventional drugs, psychological therapy, or lifestyle changes. Homeopathy does not interfere with the action of antidepressants, but it may help to reduce their side effects or dependence. This statement is correct and does not indicate a need for further teaching.

Choice D: Homeopathy can treat the root cause of my depression. This statement is incorrect and indicates a need for further teaching. Homeopathy does not claim to treat the root cause of depression, but rather to address the individual symptoms and personality of the person suffering from depression. Homeopathy believes that each person has a unique constitution and susceptibility to disease and that depression can have different causes and manifestations in different people. Therefore, homeopathy does not offer a single remedy for depression but rather selects a remedy that matches the totality of the person's physical, mental, and emotional state.