Foundations and Adult Health Nursing Test Bank - Cultural and Ethnic Considerations Related

Review Foundations and Adult Health Nursing Test Bank - Cultural and Ethnic Considerations related questions and content

A nurse is caring for an Orthodox Jewish woman immediately after she has given birth. What can the nurse expect regarding the spouse's participation in his wife's care?

  • A. He will share a bed with the patient.
  • B. He will ask to bathe with the patient.
  • C. He will touch the patient frequently.
  • D. He will avoid physical contact with the patient.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: For observant Jews, a woman is considered to be in a ritual state of impurity whenever blood is coming from her uterus, such as during menstrual periods and after the birth of a child. During this time, her husband will not have physical contact with her. When this time is completed, she will bathe herself in a pool called a mikvah. Nurses need to be aware of this practice and be sensitive to the husband and wife because the husband will not touch his wife.