A nurse is working with a family that uses multiple complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities. What action by the nurse is best?

Question

A.
Allow the family to continue these practices as desired.
B.
Assess how these practices reflect religious beliefs.
C.
Inform the family that most of these practices do not work.
D.
Provide evidence-based information about the therapies.

Answer 1

ANS: D
The nurse working with individuals or families who use CAM practices should respect the beliefs, values, and desires of the patient. The nurse should encourage families to make decisions regarding CAM practices based on evidence and research into their effects. The nurse can best assist in this by providing and discussing information. Although the nurse cannot stop the family from using CAM, he or she should not pass up the teaching opportunity. Many CAM practices have demonstrated benefit, so telling the family they don't work is false information. A culturally competent nurse will assess how religious and spiritual beliefs affect health-care practices, but the nurse needs to advocate for the patient/family by providing solid information.