A nurse is teaching a client who wants to use meditation as a CAM practice to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

The correct answer is

A. "Meditation is a technique that uses the mind's capacity to influence bodily functions and symptoms."

Choice A reason: This statement is accurate and appropriate for describing meditation as a CAM practice. Meditation is a mind-body technique that involves focusing attention on a word, object, breath, or sensation, in order to calm the mind, relax the body, and enhance awareness. Meditation may have various benefits for health and well-being, such as reducing stress, anxiety, depression, pain, blood pressure, and inflammation, and improving mood, cognition, immune function, and quality of life.

Choice B reason: This statement is incorrect and inappropriate for describing meditation as a CAM practice. Meditation is not a technique that uses natural or biological substances to intervene at a biological level. Natural or biological substances are used in another type of CAM practice called biologically based therapies, which involve the use of herbs, vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, or other natural products to treat or prevent various health conditions.

Choice C reason: This statement is incorrect and inappropriate for describing meditation as a CAM practice. Meditation is not a technique that uses manipulation techniques to correct structural problems in the body. Manipulation techniques are used in another type of CAM practice called manipulative and body-based therapies, which involve the movement or manipulation of parts of the body, such as bones, joints, muscles, or soft tissues, to improve function and health. Examples of manipulative and body-based therapies include chiropractic, osteopathy, massage, and reflexology.

Choice D reason: This statement is incorrect and inappropriate for describing meditation as a CAM practice. Meditation is not a technique that uses energy fields to balance and harmonize the body. Energy fields are used in another type of CAM practice called energy therapies, which involve the use of energy sources, either external or internal, to influence health and healing. Examples of energy therapies include electromagnetic therapy, reiki, qigong, acupuncture, and therapeutic touch.

The correct answer is

A. "Meditation is a technique that uses the mind's capacity to influence bodily functions and symptoms."

Choice A reason: This statement is accurate and appropriate for describing meditation as a CAM practice. Meditation is a mind-body technique that involves focusing attention on a word, object, breath, or sensation, in order to calm the mind, relax the body, and enhance awareness. Meditation may have various benefits for health and well-being, such as reducing stress, anxiety, depression, pain, blood pressure, and inflammation, and improving mood, cognition, immune function, and quality of life.

Choice B reason: This statement is incorrect and inappropriate for describing meditation as a CAM practice. Meditation is not a technique that uses natural or biological substances to intervene at a biological level. Natural or biological substances are used in another type of CAM practice called biologically based therapies, which involve the use of herbs, vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, or other natural products to treat or prevent various health conditions.

Choice C reason: This statement is incorrect and inappropriate for describing meditation as a CAM practice. Meditation is not a technique that uses manipulation techniques to correct structural problems in the body. Manipulation techniques are used in another type of CAM practice called manipulative and body-based therapies, which involve the movement or manipulation of parts of the body, such as bones, joints, muscles, or soft tissues, to improve function and health. Examples of manipulative and body-based therapies include chiropractic, osteopathy, massage, and reflexology.

Choice D reason: This statement is incorrect and inappropriate for describing meditation as a CAM practice. Meditation is not a technique that uses energy fields to balance and harmonize the body. Energy fields are used in another type of CAM practice called energy therapies, which involve the use of energy sources, either external or internal, to influence health and healing. Examples of energy therapies include electromagnetic therapy, reiki, qigong, acupuncture, and therapeutic touch.