Progressive Care Nursing Certification (PCCN) Practice Exam

When encountering a patient's family member using homeopathic treatments, what is the best nursing response?

1. Immediately wash off the cream, and ban the mother from unsupervised visits

2. Explain that homeopathic treatments are of limited value

3. Obtain more information about the treatment

4. Call security

The correct answer is: Obtain more information about the treatment

The best nursing response involves obtaining more information about the treatment. This approach allows the nurse to understand the specific homeopathic treatments being used, the reasons for their use, and the family member's beliefs and experiences related to these treatments. Engaging in an open conversation fosters trust and helps to establish a therapeutic relationship with the family. With this information, the nurse can assess the potential interactions between the homeopathic treatments and the patient's medical care, ensuring the safety and well-being of the patient. Additionally, understanding the family's perspective on these treatments enables the nurse to provide evidence-based education or resources that respect the family's beliefs while emphasizing the importance of conventional medical treatments. The other responses do not promote effective communication or a collaborative approach to care. Washing off a treatment immediately would be dismissive and potentially damaging to the nurse-family relationship. Telling the family that homeopathic treatments are of limited value introduces bias and may alienate the family without understanding their viewpoint. Calling security implies a serious threat, which is not appropriate in this context and does not address the need for dialogue and understanding.