Nokea
A nurse who was raised as a strict Roman Catholic but is no longer practicing stated they could not assist patients with spiritual distress because they recognize only a "field of power" in each person. The nurse says to her colleague, "My parents and I hardly talk because I've deserted my faith. Sometimes I feel really isolated from them and God-if there is a God." These statements reveal which unmet spiritual need?
- A. Meaning and purpose
- B. Forgiveness
- C. Love and relatedness
- D. Strength for everyday living
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The data point to an unmet spiritual need to experience love and belonging, given the nurse's estrangement from their family and God after leaving the church. The other options may represent other needs this nurse has, but the nurse's statements do not support them.
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A patient who lost their home, spouse, and children in a fire is depressed and states that they have no reason to live. The patient states, "My family was my life." The nurse documents a health problem of Spiritual Distress based on the patient's inability to find meaning and purpose in their current situation. What is the priority nursing action for this patient?
- A. Asking the patient which spiritual advisor they would like you to call
- B. Recommending that the patient engage in spiritual or religious readings
- C. Determining what has given the patient meaning and purpose in the past
- D. Reminding the patient that God is a loving and personal God
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse prioritizes determining what, in addition to their family, has given the patient's life meaning and purpose in the past. This helps the patient focus on their strengths. This assessment data can be used to further plan individualized spiritual care.
A patient who stated their religion as Jewish at the intake interview was served a kosher meal ordered from a restaurant on a paper plate because the hospital had no provision for kosher food or dishes. The patient became angry and accused the nurse of insulting him, emphatically stating, "I want to eat what everyone else does-and give me decent dishes." After analyzing the data, the nurse returns to the patient and makes which of these statements?
- A. "I'm terribly sorry, I should have ordered kosher food and dishes as well."
- B. "Did someone on the staff behave condescendingly or critically?"
- C. "It seems difficult to please you today."
- D. "We did not ask about your dietary preferences; tell me what you usually eat."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: On the basis of the patient's stated religion, the nurse assumed they would want a kosher diet. This is a form of stereotyping. When evaluating the outcome of the situation, the nurse returns to the first step of the nursing process and assesses the patient's dietary practices and preferences.
A nurse who is caring for patients on a pediatric unit is assessing children's spiritual needs. Which is the most important source of learning for a child's own spirituality?
- A. Child's church or religious organization
- B. What their parents say about God and religion
- C. Their parents' behavior in relationship to the family, others, and to God
- D. Family's spiritual advisor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Children learn most about their own spirituality from how their parents behave in relationship to one another, their children, others, and God (or a higher being). What parents say about God and religion, the family's spiritual advisor, and the child's church or religious organization are less important sources of learning.
A patient states they feel very isolated from their family and church, and even from God, "in this huge medical center so far from home." When preparing expected outcomes for this patient, which most appropriately measures relief of the patient's spiritual distress?
- A. The patient will express satisfaction with the compatibility of their spiritual beliefs and everyday living.
- B. The patient will identify spiritual beliefs that meet their need for meaning and purpose.
- C. The patient will express peaceful acceptance of limitations and failings.
- D. The patient will identify spiritual supports available to them in this medical center.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Each of the four options represents appropriate spiritual goals, but identifying spiritual supports available to this patient in this medical center at this point in time, is the most appropriate and realistic.
The Roman Catholic family of an infant born with hydrocephalus requests a baptism for their infant. The nurse advocates for the family's wishes to be honored for which reason?
- A. Baptism frequently helps postpone or prevent death or suffering.
- B. It is legally required that the nurse provide for this care when requested.
- C. It is a nursing function to assure the salvation of the infant.
- D. Not facilitating the baptism may increase the family's sorrow and suffering.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Failure to ensure that an infant baptism is performed when parents desire it may greatly increase the family's sorrow and suffering. Whether baptism postpones or prevents death and suffering is a religious belief that is insufficient to bind all nurses. There is no legal requirement regarding baptism, and although some nurses may believe part of their role is to ensure the salvation of the infant, this function could be rejected by many.