Deck 18: Transcultural and Spiritual Issues

Question 1

A key factor in dealing with transcultural issues is:

A) ethnocentrism.
B) culture.
C) diversity.
D) self-awareness.

Answer 1

self-awareness.

Question 2

Which of the following demonstrates a nurse's understanding that good communication is key in providing culturally congruent and spiritually sensitive care?

A) Determine the patient's understanding of the nurse's written and spoken language.
B) Consider a family member to be the best interpreter when the language is different.
C) Assess patient's literacy level and level of understanding of health information.
D) a and c.

Answer 2

a and c.

Question 3

Knowing about the values, beliefs, behaviors, norms, and customs of a patient who comes from a culture other than your own is:

A) cultural awareness.
B) cultural sensitivity.
C) ethnocentrism.
D) all of the above.

Answer 3

cultural awareness.

Question 4

All of the following are important for nurses in providing spiritual care except:

A) understanding that all spirituality is part of every patient encounter.
B) sharing the same religious beliefs and values as the patient.
C) creating an environment open to many beliefs and expressions.
D) appreciating that religious perspective may influence health choices.

Question 5

Cultural assessment includes exploration of cultural phenomena that are evident in all groups. These cultural phenomena may include which of the following? Select all that apply.

A) Communication
B) Time
C) Healthy living
D) Social organization
E) Environmental control
F) Biological variation

Question 6

Transcultural issues and conflicts are more likely to arise when nurses:

A) are aware of their own bias and judgments of others.
B) judge another's behavior by their own cultural values.
C) understand their own cultural beliefs and values.
D) avoid judging others based on preconceived ideas.

Question 7

A nurse is caring for a patient with cancer who tells her that, in addition to her chemotherapy, she is taking an herbal preparation given her by a Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) practitioner. Applying the principle of patient self-determination, the nurse should:

A) tell the patient that she has a right to do what she wants, although it is probably unsafe.
B) respectfully thank the patient for telling her and go on with the conventional treatment.
C) inform the patient that it is not wise to mix treatments from two different traditions.
D) learn more about the TCM treatment and explore the efficacy of all options with her.

Question 8

Complementary therapies include a wide variety of modalities including which of the following?

A) Relaxation techniques
B) Herbal treatments
C) Prayer
D) All of the above
E) a and c only

Question 9

Self-awareness of one's own spiritual and cultural perspective is important so that nurses:

A) take care not to impose personal beliefs and values on patients.
B) can more consciously address culture and spirituality with patients.
C) are more aware of differences that may cause potential dilemmas.
D) All of the above.

Question 10

When addressing values such as autonomy, beneficence, and the right to self-determination with patients, nurses need to understand that:

A) all cultures consider these values to be very important in health decisions.
B) the cultural perspective of all people involved must be considered.
C) cultural sensitivity means the family must be included in the discussion.
D) these values are understood pretty much the same in most cultures.

Question 11

Beliefs and practices that are the expressive aspects of religion are referred to as:

A) spirituality.
B) religiosity.
C) culture.
D) values.

Question 12

A 69-year-old patient tells his nurse that, because he is a man of faith, he has decided to stop his medical treatment for cancer and rely on prayer for healing. Providing spiritually sensitive care would direct the nurse to:

A) tell the patient it is good to trust in God, but also important to continue treatment.
B) explore further the patient's beliefs and factors that have led him to this decision.
C) inform the doctor of what the patient said and suggest she evaluate his competence.
D) presume that the patient knows what he is doing and tell him she honors his choice.

Question 13

The ability to incorporate the patient's cultural perspective into nursing assessments and to modify nursing care in order to be as congruent as possible with the patient cultural perspective is:

A) diversity.
B) cultural awareness.
C) cultural sensitivity.
D) ethnocentrism.

Question 14

A nurse's Egyptian American patient tells her that his health problem was caused by the evil eye and that he needs some blue beads for protection and healing. Cultural sensitivity directs the nurse to:

A) caringly inform the patient that the evil eye is an old belief and is not real.
B) make a mental health referral to a local Middle Eastern therapist.
C) listen respectfully to the patient's story and go on with the treatment.
D) explore more about the blue beads and try to get some for the patient.

Question 15

Complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies:

A) are often derived from a particular cultural tradition.
B) should only be used within a particular culture.
C) are incompatible with conventional medicine.
D) are generally unsafe and should not be used.