Question | Answer |
complementary therapy definition | refers to therapy that is used along with conventional treatments |
alternative therapies | an orthodox or unconventional form of therapy; it includes therapies that generally replace or substitute for a traditional or orthodox treatment |
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994 does what? | clarifies marketing regulations for herbal medicines and reclassifies them as dietary supplements, distinct from food or drugs |
role of nurse in complementary/alternative therapies | should neither advocate nor discourage the use of specific CAM therapies; need to become aware of herbal products and folk remedies to avoid potentially dangerous interactions and side effects in their patients |
acupuncture during pregnancy | pregnant women should avoid needle insertion on or near the abdomen |
what is acupuncture based on | gate control theory |
aromatherapy and effect on mom and fetus | risk of abortion, gestational hypertension, or hemorrhage |
chamomile tea in pregnancy | prevents UTIs and GI spasm; also used for sedation; avoid during pregnancy; may cause abortion and teratogenic effects on the fetus |
primary use of biofeedback during labor | used as a relaxation technique; woman must be educated to become aware of her body and its responses and to relax for it to be effective |
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) during labor | may involve the placement of two pairs of electrodes from a battery-operated device on either side of the thoracic and sacral spine, woman turns the control knobs on the device during contractions |
St. John’s wort during pregnancy | avoid exposure to sun; increases tone of uterus; use with caution in pregnancy; in high doses is mutagenic to sperm and oocytes, which may result in birth defects |
gate control and natural endorphins in complementary therapy | acupuncture may trigger the release of endorphins, thus blunting the perception of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine |
effleurage and counterpressure | slow, rhythmic, gliding strokes, usually in the direction of blood flow toward the heart and application of pressure |
leg massage and thromboembolism in pregnancy | it is advisable to avoid massage immediately after surgery, such as cesarean birth, because of the increased risk of thrombophlebitis or blood clot |