Which step should the nurse prioritize in assessing the integration of CAM therapies into a client's treatment plan?
Recommend replacing conventional treatments immediately.
Discourage all forms of alternative and complementary medicine.
Evaluate the client's preferences and safety of the modalities involved.
Focus exclusively on educating the patient about conventional medicine.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Recommend replacing conventional treatments immediately: Abandoning evidence-based biomedical interventions can lead to rapid disease progression and acute physiological decompensation. Replacing primary treatments without clinical oversight violates the principle of non-maleficence and jeopardizes patient safety. It ignores the synergistic potential of integrated care models.
B. Discourage all forms of alternative and complementary medicine: This approach alienates patients and may cause them to conceal the use of supplements that have significant drug-herb interactions. It disregards the holistic needs and cultural values of the individual. Dismissive attitudes hinder the development of a therapeutic nursing relationship.
C. Evaluate the client's preferences and safety of the modalities involved: Assessing the risk of interactions between pharmacotherapy and natural products is essential for patient safety. This step respects autonomy while ensuring that any integrated therapy does not contraindicate the primary medical regimen. It allows for a coordinated and safe care plan.
D. Focus exclusively on educating the patient about conventional medicine: Neglecting to discuss non-traditional methods leaves the patient vulnerable to unmonitored side effects from self-administered remedies. Comprehensive nursing care requires an understanding of all substances or practices the patient utilizes. Omitting CAM discussion creates a deficit in the clinical assessment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Encouraging the use of an incentive spirometer:This device facilitates deep alveolar expansion through sustained maximal inspiration. It prevents the collapse of distal air sacs by increasing transpulmonary pressure and improving surfactant distribution. Regular use remains a gold standard for maintaining pulmonary patency after general anesthesia.
B. Administering antibiotics post-surgery:These pharmacological agents target specific bacterial pathogens to treat or prevent systemic or localized infections. They do not mechanically address the physiological collapse of lung tissue caused by shallow breathing or mucus plugging. Their role is strictly antimicrobial rather than mechanical or ventilatory.
C. Increasing the patient's fluid intake:Systematic hydration helps maintain the solubility of bronchial secretions to prevent thick mucus plugging. While adequate hydration supports overall pulmonary hygiene, it does not directly provide the inspiratory pressure needed to reinflate collapsed alveoli. It serves as a secondary supportive measure.
D. Ensuring the patient is on bed rest after surgery:Prolonged immobility significantly increases the risk of basal lung collapse and venous stasis. It prevents optimal diaphragmatic excursion and reduces the functional residual capacity of the lungs. Modern surgical protocols prioritize early ambulation to enhance respiratory mechanics.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Opioids can cause constipation: This is a well-documented physiological fact rather than a myth. Opioids bind to mu-receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to decreased peristalsis and delayed colonic transit time. This side effect is so consistent that a prophylactic bowel regimen is often required for patients on long-term opioid therapy.
B. Opioids interfere with over-the-counter medications: This is a factual pharmacological concern regarding drug-drug interactions. For example, combining opioids with sedating antihistamines or alcohol can lead to dangerous levels of central nervous system depression. Patients must be educated on these interactions to ensure safety during pain management.
C. Opioids are the only option for severe pain: This is a misconception, as multimodal analgesia often includes ketamine, nerve blocks, or high-dose NSAIDs to manage severe pain effectively. While opioids are powerful, they are not the sole tool available in modern pain management. Combining different classes of medications can often provide superior relief.
D. Opioids always result in addiction: This is a prevalent myth that can lead to the undertreatment of legitimate pain. While opioids have a high potential for misuse, when managed correctly under medical supervision for acute pain, the risk of developing a substance use disorder is statistically low. Addiction involves complex biopsychosocial factors.
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