Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice Questions Related

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During the first interview with a man from Syria who has just lost his son in a car accident, in sympathy for the mans loss, the female nurse reaches out and hugs him. Which is an accurate evaluation of the nurses action?

  • A. The nurses action should be evaluated as unacceptable due to breech of cultural norms.
  • B. The nurses action should be evaluated as empathetic, encouraging expression of feelings.
  • C. The nurses action should be evaluated as the technique of offering self.
  • D. The nurses action should be evaluated as inappropriate due to poor timing.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because the nurse's action of hugging the man from Syria who just lost his son in a car accident breaches cultural norms. In many Middle Eastern cultures, physical touch, especially between unrelated individuals of the opposite sex, is considered inappropriate and can be seen as disrespectful. This can cause discomfort and may even offend the individual. In this scenario, the nurse should respect the man's cultural background and find alternative ways to show empathy and support, such as verbal expressions of sympathy or offering a comforting presence.

Choice B is incorrect because while the nurse may have intended to show empathy, the method of hugging was culturally inappropriate. Choice C is incorrect as offering self typically involves sharing personal experiences to build rapport, not physical touch. Choice D is also incorrect as the issue lies more with cultural norms rather than poor timing.