Chapter 9. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Flashcards
1
Q
743. Acupuncture needles used in current practice (A) are under same marketing rules as syringes (B) are under same standard control like medical needles (C) have same quality control as surgical scalpels (D) are used once only (E) all of the above
A
- (E) In 1996, the US Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) changed the classification of acupuncture
needles from experimental to medical equipment.
So acupuncture needles are under the same strict
quality control standards demanded for medical
needles, syringes, or surgical scalpels. It includes
manufacture, marketing, and use.
2
Q
- Which of the following statements is incorrect?
(A) Acupuncture was widely practiced by
thousands of physicians, dentists,
acupuncturists, and other practitioners
(B) Acupuncture can be used to relive pain
and in various other health conditions
(C) The National Institutes of Health (NIH)
have funded many research projects
relating to acupuncture
(D) In a national survey, the number of visits
to alternative medicine was nearly twice
of the visits to primary care physician
(E) Few medical schools in the United
States have included subjects on integrated
medicine
A
- (E) Acupuncture is being “widely” practiced by
thousands of physicians, dentists, acupuncturists,
and other practitioners for relief or prevention of
pain and for various other health conditions. The
majority of medical schools in the United States
have already added courses on integrated medicine.
In a 1998 survey, the number of visits to
alternative medicine was almost twice that of
visits to primary care physician.
3
Q
745. Which of the following statements is correct? (A) There are 600 to 2000 acupuncture points on the human body (B) Acupuncture points are mostly located along the meridians (C) Acupuncturist could use points on the ears, scalp, hands, and feet to treat diseases (D) Each treatment may use different acupuncture points even with the same disease (E) All of the above
A
- (E) There are between 600 and 2000 acupuncture
points on the human body in 12 major meridians
named after organ systems, and 8 minor meridians.
There are also points on the ears, hands,
feet, and scalp corresponding to organs throughout
the body, and extra points outside the traditional
meridians. Acupuncture points are usually
chosen based on the practitioner’s assessment
of the particular imbalance that needs to be
restored. Even with the same patient and medical
condition, acupuncture points used in each
acupuncture treatment may be different.
4
Q
- In the acupuncture theory
(A) “qi” is the life force or energy that flows
through the body
(B) “qi” influences our health at physical,
mental, emotional, and spiritual levels
(C) any excess or deficiency of “qi” will
contribute to our health problems
(D) blockage of “qi” may cause pain
(E) all of the above
A
- (E) According to traditional Chinese medicine,
“qi” (pronounced “chee”) is the life force or
energy that flows through all living things.
“Qi” affects our body at physical, mental, emotional,
and spiritual levels. Any imbalance
(deficiency or excess) or blockage of “qi” may
result in disease or pain. Acupuncture treats
disorders by influencing the flow of “qi,” thus
restoring the normal balance of organ systems.
5
Q
- Which of the following statements is incorrect?
(A) Electroacupuncture (EA) can be used
through needles to enhance the stimulation
of acupuncture points
(B) Percutaneous electric nerve stimulation
(PENS) is a modified form of acupuncture
treatment
(C) “Deqi” sensation is a side effect of
acupuncture
(D) Moxibustion can be used with or without
insertion of acupuncture needles
(E) Acupressure and cupping are also helpful
in treating different diseases
A
- (C) EA uses electrical impulses conducted
through needles for enhanced stimulation of
acupuncture points. Different frequencies of
electrical stimulation have showed distinctive
effects and mechanisms of action. PENS is an
adapted form of acupuncture that is widely
practiced. Other techniques include moxibustion
(burning of herbs to apply heat near
acupuncture points), acupressure and reflexology
(stimulation of points without penetration
of the skin with needles), and cupping
(heat creates a partial vacuum in small jars,
which are used to stimulate points with suction).
The sensations of “deqi” at the insertion site
noted by the patient include aching, tingling,
numbness, warmness, or heavy pressure feeling.
It usually corresponds to the acupuncturist’s
feeling of the needle “catching” in the muscle.
deqi is thought to be necessary for achieving the
acupuncture therapeutic effect
6
Q
748. Which one of the following complications associated with acupuncture is mostly reported? (A) Infection (B) Bruising or bleeding (C) Transient vasovagal response (D) Pneumothorax (E) Intra-abdominal abscess
A
- (B) In the hands of a skilled practitioner, complications
associated with acupuncture are
actually quite rare, and usually very mild. The
most commonly reported complication is bruising
or bleeding. A second, less common side
effect is a transient vasovagal response. Severe
complications and fatal reactions such as pneumothorax,
abdominal abscess, or pericardial
effusion associated with acupuncture are rare.
7
Q
- With regard to the scientific basis of acupuncture’s
effects, which of the following statements
is incorrect?
(A) Electric acupuncture can activate the
central nervous system (CNS) to release
endogenous opioids into blood or cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF)
(B) The analgesic effects of acupuncture
may occur after 20 to 30 minutes of
treatment
(C) Naloxone and other opioid antagonists
can inhibit the acupuncture analgesia
(D) Acupuncture analgesia can not be
passed from one animal to another animal
via CSF transfer or blood transfer
(E) Substances that inhibit endorphin enzymatic
degradation enhance the analgesic
effects of acupuncture treatment
A
- (D) In the most widely accepted acupuncture
model, needling of nerve fibers in the muscle
sends impulses that activate the spinal cord,
midbrain, and hypothalamus-pituitary system. Subsequently, it releases β-endorphin into the
blood and CSF to cause analgesia at a distance.
The effects of acupuncture are not immediate;
rather analgesia occurs after a 20- to 30-minute
induction period. Analgesia persists for 1 to
2 hours after cessation of acupuncture. Naloxone
and other opiate antagonists inhibit acupuncture
analgesia. Substances that inhibit endorphin
enzymatic degradation enhance acupuncture
effects. Acupuncture analgesia can be passed
from one animal to another via CSF transfer or
via cross-circulation of blood between two
animals.
8
Q
750. Which of the following is not involved in the analgesic effect of acupuncture? (A) Nicotine (B) Serotonin (C) Norepinephrine (D) Nitric oxide (E) β-Endorphin
A
- (A) EAinduces upregulation of neuronal nitric
oxide/nicotinamide adenine diphosphate
(NADPH) diaphorase expression in the gracile
nucleus in rats, and then mediates acupuncture
signals through dorsal medulla-thalamic pathways.
This may play a significant role in central
autonomic regulation of somatosympathetic
reflexes that contribute to acupuncture effects in
somatic and visceral pain processing, and cardiovascular
regulation. Other evidence also
supports the notion that those neurotransmitters
(eg, serotonin and norepinephrine) as well
as β-endorphin all act as mediators.
9
Q
751. Which of the following is the condition/disease that acupuncture has not shown to be an effective treatment modality? (A) Allergies (B) Dysmenorrhea (C) Leukemia (D) Biliary colic (E) Leukopenia
A
- (C) In 2002, the World Health Organization
(WHO) published a summary and review of all
clinical trials through the year 1999, and determined
four categories of disorders treated by
acupuncture. Allergies, dysmenorrhea, biliary
colic, and leukopenia are disorders among
many others in the category of proven efficacy
of acupuncture through controlled trials.
10
Q
752. Complementary and alternative medicine includes all of the following EXCEPT (A) herbs (B) mind-body therapy (C) massage (D) aspirin (E) homeopathic therapy
A
- (D) Complementary and alternative medicine
include following practices: mind-body medicine,
biologically based practices, manipulative
and body-based practices, energy medicine, and
whole medical systems. Whole medical systems
include homeopathic medicine, naturopathic
medicine, traditional Chinese medicine (herb,
acupuncture, massage, meditation, etc), and
ayurveda (herb, massage, and yoga).
11
Q
753. Mind-body interventions have been used in all the following conditions EXCEPT (A) headache (B) low back pain (C) arthritis (D) chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (E) none of the above
A
- (E) Mind-body interventions have also been
applied to various types of pain. Clinical trials
indicate that these interventions may be a
particularly effective adjunct in the management
of arthritis, with reductions in chronic pain
for up to 4 years and reductions in the number of
physician visits. When applied to more general
acute and chronic pain management, headache,
and low back pain, mind-body interventions
show some evidence of effects, although results
vary based on the patient population and type of
intervention involved. Evidence from multiple
studies with various populations of cancer
patients suggests that mind-body interventions
can improve mood, quality of life, and coping as
well as ameliorate disease- and treatmentrelated
symptoms, such as chemotherapyinduced
nausea, vomiting, and pain.
12
Q
- The following statements regarding Ginkgo
biloba are true EXCEPT
(A) Ginkgo biloba has been used to treat multiple
conditions such as asthma, bronchitis,
fatigue and tinnitus
(B) Ginkgo biloba has also been tried to
improve Alzheimer disease and dementia
(C) patients with intermittent claudicating,
multiple sclerosis have tried Ginkgo
biloba supplement
(D) Ginkgo biloba has side effects including
headache, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness,
and allergic skin reactions
(E) Ginkgo biloba does not increase bleeding
risk so it can be safely taken with other
anticoagulant drugs
A
- (E) Recently, Ginkgo biloba has been used to treat
a variety of health conditions, including asthma,
bronchitis, fatigue, and tinnitus. Some encouraging
results have been seen from the studies of
Alzheimer disease/dementia, intermittent claudication,
and tinnitus. But a trial of more than 200
healthy adults older than 60 years found that
Ginkgo biloba taken for 6 weeks did not improve
memory. Side effects of Ginkgo biloba include
headache, nausea, GI upset, diarrhea, dizziness,
or allergic skin reactions. More severe allergic
reactions have occasionally been reported. There
are some data to suggest that Ginkgo biloba can
increase bleeding risk, so people who take anticoagulant
drugs, have bleeding disorders, or
have scheduled surgery or dental procedures
should use caution.
13
Q
- The evidence from research supports the following
effects of ginseng EXCEPT
(A) ginseng supports overall health and
boost immune system
(B) ginseng does not cause allergic reactions
(C) ginseng can increase both mental and
physical performance
(D) some studies have shown that ginseng
lowers the blood glucose level
(E) most common side effects of ginseng are
headache, sleep disturbances, and gastrointestinal
(GI) problems
A
- (B) Ginseng has numerous potential benefits
which include: supporting overall health and
boosting the immune system; improving recovery
from illness; increasing a sense of well-being
and stamina; improving both mental and physical
performance; treating erectile dysfunction,
hepatitis C; reducing symptoms related to
menopause; lowering blood glucose; and controlling
blood pressure. The most common side
effects are headaches and sleep disturbance and
GI problems. Ginseng can cause allergic reactions.
There have been reports of breast tenderness,
menstrual irregularities, and high blood
pressure associated with ginseng products.
Ginseng may lower the level of blood glucose;
this effect may be seen more often in patients with diabetes. Therefore, diabetic patients
should use extra caution with Asian ginseng,
especially if they are taking medicines to lower
blood sugar or taking other herbs.
14
Q
- The biologically based practice is a domain of
complementary and alternative medicine. It
includes
(1) vitamins
(2) fatty acids
(3) proteins
(4) prebiotics
A
- (E) The biologically based practice is a branch of
complementary and alternative medicine.
It includes, but is not limited to, botanicals,
animal-derived extracts, vitamins, minerals,
fatty acids, amino acids, proteins, prebiotics and
15
Q
- Naturopathy is a system of healing. Its principles
include the following:
(1) The healing power of nature
(2) Identification and treatment of the cause
of disease
(3) Treatment of the whole person
(4) The doctor as a teacher
A
- (E) Naturopathy is a system originating from
Europe. It considers that a disease is a manifestation
of alterations in the processes by which the
body naturally heals itself. It emphasizes health
restoration as well as disease treatment. There are
six principles that form the basis of naturopathic
practice in North America: (1) the healing power
of nature; (2) identification and treatment of the
cause of disease; (3) the concept of “first do no
harm”; (4) the doctor as teacher; (5) treatment of
the whole person; and (6) prevention.