A patient informs a nurse that he is sold on the idea that aromatherapy is a viable cure for his agoraphobia. He plans to order several hundred dollars' worth of oils from an Internet site that promises swift results when their products are used

Question

The patient mentions that the Internet provides more information about agoraphobia than his doctor did, so he trusts what he reads there. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate? a. Support his efforts to become informed and to find health solutions consistent with his beliefs.
b. Tell the patient there is no scientific evidence indicating that aromatherapy helps agoraphobia, and it can aggravate certain health problems.
c. Suggest that the patient check with friends who have tried aromatherapy to get their opinions of its effects.
d. Suggest that the patient report the offer to the local police and have them investigate the Internet site.

Answer 1

B
The nurse should view alternative treatments with an open mind and try to recognize the importance of the treatment to the patient while trying to give the patient accurate, reliable information about the treatment. Although efforts to become health literate are to be supported, educating the patient about the pitfalls of relying on the Internet, which in some ways is less reliable than television infomercials, is essential but is lacking here. The opinions of others, whether they are positive or negative, lack a scientific basis and are subject to confounding variables such as the placebo effect and individual factors such as age and health history. The police investigate only matters of a criminal nature, and there is no evidence that a crime has occurred here.