A patient tells the nurse that he has a history of back pain that is controlled with yoga and herbal supplements. How would the nurse document this information?

Question

1. The patient does not believe in Western medicine.
2. The patient has strong spiritual beliefs.
3. The patient uses some alternative forms of medicine to treat illness.
4. The patient uses stress reduction techniques to control back pain.

Answer 1

3
Rationale 1: Western medicine is the type of health care traditionally provided in the United States and includes diagnostic testing, treatments, and medications. There is no indication that the patient does not believe in Western medicine.
Rationale 2: The strength of the patient's spiritual beliefs cannot be assessed by this information alone.
Rationale 3: The use of herbal supplements to relieve back pain is a form of complementary or alternative medicine. The nurse must assess this practice, as some "natural cures" are ineffective and some can interfere with prescribed medications.
Rationale 4: There is not enough information to make this statement. The patient may use yoga as a strengthening exercise for back muscles. The herbs may not be taken for stress reduction.