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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.
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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 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.
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.
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.
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.