During an assessment, the nurse notices that a patient is handling a small charm that is tied to a leather strip around his neck. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?
- A. Ask the patient about the item and its significance.
- B. Ask the patient to lock the item with other valuables in the hospital's safe.
- C. Tell the patient that a family member should take valuables home.
- D. No action is necessary.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The appropriate action for the nurse in this situation is to ask the patient about the charm and its significance. This helps the nurse understand the patient's cultural beliefs, personal values, and any potential significance the charm holds for the patient. It also shows respect for the patient's personal belongings. Asking about the charm can help establish rapport and cultural competence in the nurse-patient relationship. Choices B and C do not address the patient's attachment to the charm or provide an opportunity for cultural understanding. Choice D is incorrect as it dismisses the importance of acknowledging and respecting the patient's personal belongings.
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During an interview, the nurse states, 'You mentioned shortness of breath. Tell me more about that.' Which verbal skill is used with this statement?
- A. Reflection
- B. Facilitation
- C. Direct question
- D. Open-ended question
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse's statement, 'Tell me more about that,' is an example of an open-ended question. Open-ended questions encourage the interviewee to provide detailed information and expand on their responses. This type of question is useful for gathering narrative information and allows the interviewee to express themselves freely. Reflection involves restating or paraphrasing the client's words, facilitation encourages the client to say more, and direct questions typically elicit specific, close-ended responses, unlike open-ended questions.
When planning a cultural assessment, which component should be included?
- A. Family history
- B. Chief complaint
- C. Medical history
- D. Health-related beliefs
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When planning a cultural assessment, the nurse should include the component of health-related beliefs. Understanding a person's cultural background and beliefs about health and wellness is crucial for providing culturally competent care. Health-related beliefs can impact a person's attitudes towards illness, treatment preferences, and adherence to medical recommendations. Therefore, assessing health-related beliefs is essential for delivering effective and respectful healthcare services. Choices A, B, and C are important components of a comprehensive patient assessment but are not specific to cultural considerations. While family history, chief complaint, and medical history are pertinent to understanding a patient's health status, health-related beliefs focus specifically on the cultural aspect that influences an individual's health perceptions and behaviors.
An elderly Mexican-American woman with traditional beliefs has been admitted to an inpatient care unit. A culturally-sensitive nurse would:
- A. contact the hospital administrator about the best course of action.
- B. automatically get a curandero for her because it is not culturally appropriate for her to request one.
- C. further assess the patient's cultural beliefs and offer the patient assistance in contacting a curandero or priest if she desires.
- D. ask the family what they would like to do because Mexican-Americans traditionally give control of decisions to their families.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When caring for a patient with traditional beliefs, especially one belonging to a culture like Mexican-American where folk or religious healers are important, a culturally-sensitive nurse should assess the patient's beliefs and preferences. By offering assistance in contacting a curandero or priest, the nurse acknowledges and respects the patient's cultural practices and provides holistic care that aligns with the patient's values. This approach helps build trust and ensures the patient receives care that is culturally appropriate and respectful. Choice A is incorrect as contacting the hospital administrator may not directly address the patient's cultural needs. Choice B is inappropriate as assuming the patient needs a curandero without assessment disregards individual preferences. Choice D is incorrect because while family involvement is valued in Mexican-American culture, the primary focus should be on the patient's individual preferences and autonomy.
When evaluating the reliability of a patient's responses, which of these statements would be correct? The patient:
- A. has a history of drug abuse and therefore is not reliable.
- B. provided consistent information and therefore is reliable.
- C. smiled throughout the interview and therefore is assumed reliable.
- D. would not answer questions concerning stress and therefore is not reliable.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In evaluating the reliability of a patient's responses, consistency in the information provided by the patient is crucial. When a patient provides consistent information, it indicates that their responses are trustworthy and reliable. In this scenario, the nurse can consider the patient as reliable based on the consistency of the information provided. Other factors such as a history of drug abuse, smiling behavior, or refusal to answer certain questions may not necessarily determine the reliability of the patient's responses. Therefore, the correct choice is B as consistency in responses is a more reliable indicator of trustworthiness than other factors mentioned in the choices.
When working with children from different cultural perspectives, the healthcare provider may find it particularly challenging because:
- A. children's spiritual needs are influenced by their stages of development.
- B. children's spiritual needs are direct reflections of what is happening in their homes.
- C. religious beliefs often impact the parents' views on the illness.
- D. parents are usually the decision-makers, but they may lack awareness of their children's spiritual needs.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Children's spiritual needs are influenced by their stages of development, not just by what is happening in their homes. Understanding these needs requires knowledge of how children's spiritual beliefs evolve as they grow. Different cultural perspectives can bring varying beliefs and practices regarding children's spiritual development, which may challenge healthcare providers in addressing these needs effectively. Choice B is incorrect because children's spiritual needs are not solely reflections of their home environments but are shaped by various factors. Choice C is incorrect as it discusses the impact of parents' religious beliefs on illness views rather than focusing on children's spiritual needs. Choice D is incorrect as it addresses parental awareness of children's spiritual needs, which is not the primary challenge faced by healthcare providers in this context.