A client of Chinese heritage requests that a healer use acupuncture to treat back pain. What action should the nurse take?

Question

1. Traditional remedies should be considered in conjunction with physician-prescribed treatments for their risks and benefits.
2. Traditional remedies are helpful and should be supported.
3. Some traditional remedies may be helpful and should be encouraged.
4. Traditional remedies are harmful and should be avoided.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1

Traditional remedies make a client feel more comfortable because they are culturally based and must not be discounted without an assessment of the risks and benefits. A holistic approach may put the client at ease and assist in healing. Establishing trust with people whose beliefs are different depends on a nurse's willingness to accept differences and to work with the client's beliefs to achieve a healing relationship. Working with clients of different cultural beliefs provides nurses with the opportunity to enrich their own lives through an understanding of the differences of others. Traditional remedies such as acupuncture, massage, meditation, and some herbs are increasingly shown to have healing properties. Researchers are examining the effects of complementary, also referred to as alternative, healing methods, often derived from cultural healing practices, on health and healing. New knowledge derived from traditional beliefs and practices can provide new ways of healing and helping.