CATs Practice Questions PDF

**Question 1:** A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of complementary and alternative therapies (CATs). Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further education? A. \"I can use herbal supplements without consulting my doctor since they are natural.\" B. \"Yoga can help me manag...

**Question 1:** A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of complementary and alternative therapies (CATs). Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further education? A. \"I can use herbal supplements without consulting my doctor since they are natural.\" B. \"Yoga can help me manage my stress and improve my flexibility.\" C. \"I should stop taking some herbal products a few weeks before surgery.\" D. \"Acupuncture can help alleviate my chronic back pain.\" **Correct Answer:** A\ **Rationale:** While herbal supplements are natural, they can interact with medications or medical conditions. Patients must consult healthcare providers before using herbal therapies to ensure safety. The other statements are accurate descriptions of CATs. **Question 2:** A patient asks the nurse about the benefits of garlic as a complementary therapy. The nurse should inform the patient that garlic is commonly used for: A. Improving digestion.\ B. Preventing upper respiratory infections.\ C. Lowering high cholesterol levels.\ D. Treating anxiety and depression. **Correct Answer:** C\ **Rationale:** Garlic is commonly used to treat hyperlipidemia. It can help lower cholesterol levels. Options A, B, and D do not align with the commonly recognized uses of garlic. **Question 3:** A patient taking warfarin asks if they can use ginkgo biloba to improve memory. What is the nurse's best response? A. \"Yes, ginkgo biloba is safe to use with warfarin.\"\ B. \"No, it may decrease the effectiveness of warfarin.\"\ C. \"You should avoid ginkgo biloba, as it may increase the risk of bleeding.\"\ D. \"You can use it, but only in small doses.\" **Correct Answer:** C\ **Rationale:** Ginkgo biloba can increase the risk of bleeding and should be avoided by patients taking anticoagulants like warfarin. This interaction can lead to serious complications. **Question 4:** Which complementary therapy focuses on balancing the energy fields in and around the body to promote healing? A. Acupuncture\ B. Herbal therapy\ C. Reiki\ D. Aromatherapy **Correct Answer:** C\ **Rationale:** Reiki is an energy therapy that aims to balance the body\'s energy fields for healing. Acupuncture involves stimulating points on the body, herbal therapy involves plant-based products, and aromatherapy uses essential oils. **Question 5:** The nurse is caring for a patient who uses St. John's wort. Which important information should the nurse include in the teaching plan? A. \"This supplement is safe to use with any medication.\"\ B. \"It may interact dangerously with prescription medications.\"\ C. \"You can continue to take it up to the day of surgery.\"\ D. \"It is only effective for treating insomnia.\" **Correct Answer:** B\ **Rationale:** St. John's wort can interact with medications in dangerous, life-threatening ways. It should be discontinued before surgery, and its uses extend beyond treating insomnia to include mild depression and wound healing. **Question 6:** A patient undergoing chemotherapy reports nausea and is interested in complementary therapies. Which therapy would the nurse recommend? A. Valerian root\ B. Ginger\ C. Ginkgo biloba\ D. Black cohosh **Correct Answer:** B\ **Rationale:** Ginger is commonly used to alleviate nausea and vomiting, including those associated with chemotherapy. Valerian root is used for sleep, ginkgo biloba for memory issues, and black cohosh for menopausal symptoms. **Question 7:** The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery who reports using herbal supplements. What is the priority nursing intervention? A. Teach the patient to discontinue herbal supplements 2-3 weeks before surgery.\ B. Educate the patient to continue using supplements to aid recovery.\ C. Recommend increasing the dose of supplements for better outcomes.\ D. Inform the patient that herbal supplements are safe and will not affect surgery. **Correct Answer:** A\ **Rationale:** Some herbal supplements can cause complications during surgery, such as bleeding. Patients should stop taking them 2-3 weeks before surgery to reduce risks. **Question 8:** Which statement by a patient demonstrates understanding of the use of Echinacea? A. \"I can use Echinacea to treat my seasonal allergies.\"\ B. \"Echinacea is helpful for improving my blood circulation.\"\ C. \"I will use Echinacea to prevent upper respiratory infections.\"\ D. \"It is safe to use Echinacea with my autoimmune disorder.\" **Correct Answer:** C\ **Rationale:** Echinacea is commonly used for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory infections by stimulating the immune system. However, it should be used cautiously in patients with autoimmune disorders as it may exacerbate the condition. **Question 9:** A patient is using black cohosh for menopausal symptoms. What potential side effect should the nurse warn the patient about? A. Increased risk of bleeding\ B. Gastrointestinal upset\ C. Liver toxicity\ D. Insomnia **Correct Answer:** C\ **Rationale:** Black cohosh has been associated with liver toxicity in some cases. Patients should be advised to monitor for symptoms of liver dysfunction, such as jaundice or dark urine. **Question 10:** Which complementary and alternative therapy is most appropriate for a patient with chronic migraines? A. Aromatherapy\ B. Feverfew\ C. Valerian root\ D. Ginseng **Correct Answer:** B\ **Rationale:** Feverfew is commonly used for the prevention of migraines and arthritis. It has anti-inflammatory properties that may benefit these conditions. **Question 11:** The nurse is teaching a patient about manipulative and body-based practices. Which example should the nurse provide? A. Guided imagery\ B. Massage therapy\ C. Acupuncture\ D. Reiki **Correct Answer:** B\ **Rationale:** Manipulative and body-based practices include therapies that involve manipulation of soft tissues or joints, such as massage therapy. Guided imagery and Reiki are mind-body or energy therapies, while acupuncture involves stimulation of specific points on the body. **Question 12:** Which patient is the best candidate for using valerian root as a complementary therapy? A. A patient with insomnia\ B. A patient with motion sickness\ C. A patient experiencing menopausal symptoms\ D. A patient with hypertension **Correct Answer:** A\ **Rationale:** Valerian root is most commonly used for its sedative properties to treat insomnia. It is not indicated for motion sickness, menopausal symptoms, or hypertension. **Question 13:** The nurse is educating a group of patients about mind-body therapies. Which therapies should the nurse include in the discussion? Select all that apply. A. Yoga\ B. Reiki\ C. Meditation\ D. Acupuncture\ E. Herbal supplements **Correct Answers:** A, C\ **Rationale:** Mind-body therapies focus on the interaction between the mind and body, such as yoga and meditation. Reiki is an energy therapy, acupuncture is a physical intervention, and herbal supplements are a natural product-based therapy. **Question 14:** A patient taking a dietary supplement reports symptoms of dizziness and drowsiness. Which supplement might be responsible for these symptoms? A. Aloe\ B. Ginseng\ C. Valerian root\ D. St. John's wort **Correct Answer:** C\ **Rationale:** Valerian root has sedative effects, which can cause dizziness and drowsiness as side effects. Aloe, ginseng, and St. John's wort do not typically cause these symptoms.**Question 15:** A nurse is preparing a presentation about the benefits and risks of herbal supplements. Which point is most important to include? A. \"Herbal supplements are always safe if used correctly.\"\ B. \"They are regulated by the FDA, ensuring consistent quality.\"\ C. \"They can interact with medications and cause serious side effects.\"\ D. \"They are effective for treating all chronic conditions.\" **Correct Answer:** C\ **Rationale:** Herbal supplements can interact with medications, potentially causing serious side effects. Unlike prescription drugs, they are not tightly regulated by the FDA, and their quality and efficacy can vary. **Question 16:** A patient interested in energy therapies asks for more information. Which example should the nurse provide? A. Acupuncture\ B. Biofeedback\ C. Reiki\ D. Yoga **Correct Answer:** C\ **Rationale:** Reiki is an energy therapy that involves balancing the energy fields around the body. Acupuncture involves stimulating specific body points, biofeedback uses monitoring devices for stress reduction, and yoga is a mind-body therapy. **Question 17:** The nurse is educating a patient on the use of ginger as a complementary therapy. For which conditions is ginger most appropriate? Select all that apply. A. Migraine prevention\ B. Nausea from chemotherapy\ C. Motion sickness\ D. Arthritis pain\ E. Insomnia **Correct Answers:** B, C\ **Rationale:** Ginger is effective in reducing nausea and vomiting, particularly in chemotherapy patients, and is also useful for motion sickness. It is not typically used for migraines, arthritis, or insomnia. **Question 18:** A patient asks the nurse about the regulatory status of herbal therapies in the United States. What is the best response by the nurse? A. \"Herbal therapies are rigorously regulated by the FDA like prescription drugs.\"\ B. \"Manufacturers must prove safety and efficacy before marketing herbal products.\"\ C. \"There is minimal regulation, so the quality and safety can vary widely.\"\ D. \"Herbal therapies are safer than prescription medications because they are natural.\" **Correct Answer:** C\ **Rationale:** In the U.S., herbal therapies are not tightly regulated, and their safety, efficacy, and quality can vary. Manufacturers do not need to prove these before marketing, so consumers must be cautious.