Rakel: Evolve Resources for Integrative Medicine, 4th Edition
Chapter 02: Creating Optimal Healing Environments
Review Questions
1. All of the
... [Show More] following are examples of nonspecific healing effects except:
a. Empathy
b. Creating positive expectations
c. Matching a therapy to the individual’s culture and belief system
d. A healing setting with elements of nature
e. The cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy
2. A 32-year-old female executive presents to your office with abdominal pain and constipation.
She does not want to take a lot of drugs and would like to get at the root of her symptoms. After
ruling out other causes, you make the diagnosis of constipation-dominant irritable bowel
syndrome. Which of the following therapies is likely to be most effective?
a. A prescription for linaclotide, a guanylate cyclase agonist that creates an osmotic fluid shift
into the lumen of the bowel. This drug has high quality evidence for its effectiveness for IBS
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b. You explore the stress at work and her unique tendency to “hold things in,” particularly in
relation to her demanding career. You explain the pathophysiology of mind-gut connection and
agree on a plan to increase exerciseN, pUuRshSfIluNidGs,TadBd.sColOubMle fiber, journaling to provide an
avenue for expressing emotions, and a referral for gut-directed hypnotherapy.
c. On the basis of a lecture you recently heard at grand rounds about acupuncture and
constipation, you make a referral. You aren’t so sure it will help but since she does not want to
take a lot of medicine, you give it a try.
d. After listening with empathy, you educate her about the safety of polyethylene glycol
(Miralax), and how it is not systemically absorbed but is quite effective for constipation. You
recommend she start with two heaping tablespoons (about 34 g) per day, mixed with 8-10 oz of
water, for 1 week and then reduce to one tablespoon daily (17 g) and follow up in 1 month.
3. On the basis of Frank and Frank’s pioneering work, which of the following is NOT one of the
four key ingredients of a healing encounter?
a. An emotionally charged relationship with a helping person
b. A healing setting
c. Using a knife, pin, pill, laser, or light within the context of the visit to enhance health
outcomes.
d. An explanation for the symptoms that resulted in a sense of control and understanding
e. A ritual, procedure, or plan that involves active participation of both parties that each believes
will restore the person to a state of health [Show Less]