Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A client was recently diagnosed with high cholesterol and decides to decline medication and to take garlic to lower cholesterol. This client is using which type of therapy?
A. Complementary therapy
Complementary therapy is used alongside conventional medical treatments. In this case, the client is declining prescribed medication, so the garlic use is not complementary—it is being used as a substitute.
B. Alternative therapy
Alternative therapy refers to using non-mainstream practices in place of conventional medicine. The client’s decision to use garlic instead of prescribed cholesterol-lowering medication fits this definition. Garlic has some lipid-lowering properties, but it is not a substitute for clinically indicated pharmacologic therapy.
C. Integrative therapy
Integrative therapy combines conventional and complementary approaches in a coordinated way. Since the client is not using both together, this does not apply.
D. Conventional therapy
Conventional therapy refers to standard medical treatment, such as prescribed medications. The client is choosing not to follow this route, so this option is incorrect.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Med surg proctored exam (examplify). Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Complementary therapy is used alongside conventional medical treatments. In this case, the client is declining prescribed medication, so the garlic use is not complementary—it is being used as a substitute.
Choice B reason: Alternative therapy refers to using non-mainstream practices in place of conventional medicine. The client’s decision to use garlic instead of prescribed cholesterol-lowering medication fits this definition. Garlic has some lipid-lowering properties, but it is not a substitute for clinically indicated pharmacologic therapy.
Choice C reason: Integrative therapy combines conventional and complementary approaches in a coordinated way. Since the client is not using both together, this does not apply.
Choice D reason: Conventional therapy refers to standard medical treatment, such as prescribed medications. The client is choosing not to follow this route, so this option is incorrect.
Similar Questions
A client has recently experienced an increased amount of stress related to finances. The client begins taking a prescribed medication as well as attending a free yoga class in the park. This client is using which type of therapy?
A. Alternative therapy
Alternative therapy involves using non-mainstream practices instead of conventional medicine. Since the client is using both prescribed medication and yoga, this is not alternative therapy.
B. Complementary therapy
Complementary therapy refers to using non-mainstream practices alongside conventional treatment. In this case, the client is combining prescribed medication (conventional) with yoga (complementary), making this the correct classification.
C. Conventional therapy
Conventional therapy refers to standard medical treatment alone. The client is using more than just medication, so this does not apply.
D. Holistic therapy
Holistic therapy considers the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—but is not a formal classification of therapy type. While the client’s approach may be holistic in nature, the correct technical term for combining yoga with medication is complementary therapy.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Alternative therapy involves using non-mainstream practices instead of conventional medicine. Since the client is using both prescribed medication and yoga, this is not alternative therapy.
Choice B reason: Complementary therapy refers to using non-mainstream practices alongside conventional treatment. In this case, the client is combining prescribed medication (conventional) with yoga (complementary), making this the correct classification.
Choice C reason: Conventional therapy refers to standard medical treatment alone. The client is using more than just medication, so this does not apply.
Choice D reason: Holistic therapy considers the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—but is not a formal classification of therapy type. While the client’s approach may be holistic in nature, the correct technical term for combining yoga with medication is complementary therapy.
A nurse provides education to a client who reports difficulty falling asleep and frequent awakenings during the night. Which client statement indicates that learning was effective?
A. "I will remain in bed if I cannot sleep."
Remaining in bed when unable to sleep can reinforce insomnia. Sleep hygiene guidelines recommend getting out of bed and engaging in a quiet activity until feeling sleepy again to avoid associating the bed with wakefulness.
B. "I will drink chamomile tea before bed."
Drinking chamomile tea before bed is a recognized non-pharmacologic strategy to promote relaxation and improve sleep onset. Chamomile contains apigenin, a compound that binds to benzodiazepine receptors and has mild sedative effects.
C. "I should exercise in the evenings."
Exercising in the evening can increase alertness and body temperature, potentially interfering with sleep. Morning or early afternoon exercise is generally recommended to support circadian rhythm and sleep quality.
D. "I will take naps during the day to catch up on sleep."
Taking naps during the day, especially long or late naps, can disrupt nighttime sleep patterns and worsen insomnia. Sleep hygiene promotes consistent sleep-wake schedules and limiting daytime naps.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Remaining in bed when unable to sleep can reinforce insomnia. Sleep hygiene guidelines recommend getting out of bed and engaging in a quiet activity until feeling sleepy again to avoid associating the bed with wakefulness.
Choice B reason: Drinking chamomile tea before bed is a recognized non-pharmacologic strategy to promote relaxation and improve sleep onset. Chamomile contains apigenin, a compound that binds to benzodiazepine receptors and has mild sedative effects.
Choice C reason: Exercising in the evening can increase alertness and body temperature, potentially interfering with sleep. Morning or early afternoon exercise is generally recommended to support circadian rhythm and sleep quality.
Choice D reason: Taking naps during the day, especially long or late naps, can disrupt nighttime sleep patterns and worsen insomnia. Sleep hygiene promotes consistent sleep-wake schedules and limiting daytime naps.
A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who is unable to sleep and refusing to see their partner. The client states, “I'm feeling anxious.” Using Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which area should the nurse prioritize when planning care for the client?
A. Anxiousness
Anxiety is a psychological concern that falls under safety and emotional needs. While important, it is secondary to physiological needs such as wound care, which directly impacts survival and physical integrity.
B. Refusal to see partner
Refusal to see a partner relates to love and belonging needs. These are higher-level needs in Maslow’s hierarchy and are not prioritized over basic physiological or safety needs.
C. Inability to sleep
Inability to sleep affects physiological well-being but is not as immediately critical as wound care in a postoperative client. Sleep disturbances can be addressed after ensuring physical recovery.
D. Wound care
Wound care addresses the most fundamental physiological need—physical health and healing. In Maslow’s hierarchy, physiological needs are the foundation and must be met before addressing emotional or social concerns.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Anxiety is a psychological concern that falls under safety and emotional needs. While important, it is secondary to physiological needs such as wound care, which directly impacts survival and physical integrity.
Choice B reason: Refusal to see a partner relates to love and belonging needs. These are higher-level needs in Maslow’s hierarchy and are not prioritized over basic physiological or safety needs.
Choice C reason: Inability to sleep affects physiological well-being but is not as immediately critical as wound care in a postoperative client. Sleep disturbances can be addressed after ensuring physical recovery.
Choice D reason: Wound care addresses the most fundamental physiological need—physical health and healing. In Maslow’s hierarchy, physiological needs are the foundation and must be met before addressing emotional or social concerns.