Community Health Nursing Practice Exam

A pregnant mother believes raising her arms will strangle the baby. This belief is reflective of which?

1. Home remedy

2. Herbalism

3. Folk medicine

4. Alternative therapy

The correct answer is: Folk medicine

The belief held by the pregnant mother that raising her arms will strangle the baby reflects the concepts found within folk medicine. Folk medicine encompasses the traditional beliefs, practices, and knowledge that are culturally shared and passed down through generations. These practices often include unique interpretations of health, illness, and bodily functions that may not be scientifically substantiated but hold significant value in specific cultural contexts. In this scenario, the mother’s concern is indicative of a cultural belief that might not be recognized in modern medical practices but is significant within her cultural understanding. Folk medicine is often influenced by historical practices, societal norms, and community wisdom, leading individuals to adopt certain health-related beliefs that can affect their behaviors during critical times such as pregnancy. In contrast, home remedies typically refer to non-medical treatments that people use to manage minor health issues, herbalism focuses on the use of plants and herbs for healing, and alternative therapy usually implies structured treatment methods that differ from conventional approaches. These distinctions help clarify why the mother’s belief aligns specifically with the context of folk medicine.