Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
Which complementary therapy is often used to reduce stress and promote relaxation through touch?
A. Chiropractic therapy
Chiropractic therapy primarily focuses on the diagnosis and manual adjustment of musculoskeletal disorders, especially spinal alignment. While it may relieve pain and improve mobility, its primary mechanism is structural, not energetic or touch-based relaxation. It is not classified as a complementary therapy specifically aimed at stress reduction through gentle touch.
B. Therapeutic touch
Therapeutic touch is a complementary therapy that involves the practitioner using their hands to detect and manipulate the client’s energy field. It is specifically designed to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and support healing. The technique does not involve physical manipulation but rather uses touch or near-touch to balance energy flow, making it ideal for stress relief.
C. Herbal medicine
Herbal medicine involves the use of plant-based substances to treat or prevent illness. While some herbs may promote relaxation (e.g., chamomile, lavender), herbal medicine is not a touch-based therapy and therefore does not meet the criteria for this question.
D. Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body to balance energy flow. Although it can promote relaxation and reduce stress, it is not primarily based on touch and involves penetration of the skin, distinguishing it from therapies like therapeutic touch.
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Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Chiropractic therapy primarily focuses on the diagnosis and manual adjustment of musculoskeletal disorders, especially spinal alignment. While it may relieve pain and improve mobility, its primary mechanism is structural, not energetic or touch-based relaxation. It is not classified as a complementary therapy specifically aimed at stress reduction through gentle touch.
Choice B reason: Therapeutic touch is a complementary therapy that involves the practitioner using their hands to detect and manipulate the client’s energy field. It is specifically designed to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and support healing. The technique does not involve physical manipulation but rather uses touch or near-touch to balance energy flow, making it ideal for stress relief.
Choice C reason: Herbal medicine involves the use of plant-based substances to treat or prevent illness. While some herbs may promote relaxation (e.g., chamomile, lavender), herbal medicine is not a touch-based therapy and therefore does not meet the criteria for this question.
Choice D reason: Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body to balance energy flow. Although it can promote relaxation and reduce stress, it is not primarily based on touch and involves penetration of the skin, distinguishing it from therapies like therapeutic touch.
Similar Questions
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.
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.
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.