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A parish nurse is speaking to a congregant whose adolescent child was arrested for shoplifting. The congregant is very angry, stating they cannot face the child, let alone discuss the situation: "I just will not tolerate a thief." What nursing action will best assist the congregant at this time?
- A. Assuring the congregant that many parents feel the same way
- B. Reassuring the congregant that many teenagers act rebelliously and that it will pass
- C. Assisting the congregant to identify how withholding forgiveness hurts them
- D. Asking the congregant if they have spent sufficient time with their child
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Helping the congregant identify how their unforgiving feelings may be harmful to themselves is the only intervention that directly addresses forgiveness, a universal spiritual need.
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A hospice nurse is caring for a patient who is dying of pancreatic cancer. The patient tells the nurse, "I feel no connection to God" and "I'm worried that I've found no real meaning in life." What is the nurse's best response to this patient?
- A. Give the patient a hug and tell them that their life still has meaning.
- B. Arrange for a spiritual advisor to visit the patient.
- C. Ask if the patient would like to talk about their feelings.
- D. Call in a close friend or relative to talk to the patient.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When caring for a patient who is in spiritual distress, the nurse should listen to the patient first, then ask whether the patient would like to visit with a spiritual advisor. Arranging for a spiritual advisor first may not be respectful of the patient's wishes. A hug and false reassurances do not address the problem of spiritual distress. Talking to friends or relatives may be helpful, but only if the patient agrees.
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.
A nurse is caring for patients in a long-term care facility. Which nursing actions are appropriate based on the religious beliefs of these patients? Select all that apply.
- A. Asking a Buddhist if they have any diet restrictions related to the observance of holy days
- B. Asking a Christian Scientist who is in traction if they would like to try nonpharmacologic pain measures
- C. Administering medications to a Muslim patient and avoiding touching the patient's lips
- D. Asking a Roman Catholic patient if they would like to attend Mass in the common room on Sunday
- E. Avoiding scheduling treatment and procedures on Saturday for a Hindu patient
- F. Consulting with the medicine man of a Native American patient and incorporating their suggestions into the care plan
Correct Answer: A,B,D,F
Rationale: The nurse should ask a Buddhist if they have any diet restrictions related to the observance of holy days. Since Christian Scientists avoid the use of pain medications, the nurse should offer nonpharmacologic pain relief measures. A nurse should ask a Roman Catholic if they would like to attend Mass on Sunday. The nurse would appropriately consult with the medicine man of a Native American patient and incorporate their suggestions into the care plan.
A nursing student is caring for a patient admitted with chest pain related to aortic valve stenosis. The student notes the patient, who had been calm and cooperative the day before, has become contemplative and withdrawn, stating, "I've never thought much about dying, but my chances of making it through tomorrow's surgery are 50-50." How does the student best respond when the clinical professor asks the student why this behavior likely surfaced later in the patient's admission?
- A. Patients usually want to maintain privacy about their spiritual needs.
- B. People are better able to focus on spiritual needs after their spiritual advisor visits.
- C. Family members and close friends often initiate spiritual concerns.
- D. Illness increases spiritual concerns, which may initially be difficult to verbalize.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Illness may increase spiritual concerns, which many patients find difficult to initially express. The other options presume patients are purposefully secretive or must speak with a spiritual advisor, friends, or family to promote discussion of spiritual concerns.
A nurse in a long-term care facility is performing spirituality assessments of residents on their unit. What is the best question the nurse could use to assess for spiritual needs?
- A. "Can you describe your usual spiritual practices and how you maintain them daily?"
- B. "Are your spiritual beliefs causing you any concern?"
- C. "How can I and the other nurses help you maintain your spiritual practices?"
- D. "How do your religious beliefs help you to feel at peace?"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Questioning how the staff can meet patients' spiritual practices assesses spiritual needs. Asking the patient to describe spiritual practices is an assessment of spiritual practices. Asking about concerns assesses spiritual distress, and asking about feeling at peace assesses the need for forgiveness.