Question 1

A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia reports hearing demon voices coming through the television.Which statement by the nurse providing spiritual care would be most comforting to the patient?

Accepted Answer

By acknowledging the patient's spiritual distress, the nurse is providing validation and empathy to the patient, which may help reduce their anxiety and provide comfort. The other options may not be helpful to the patient in this specific situation.

Question 2

A patient moans, "God wants me to suffer, but I don't know why.I feel like an outcast.I should have never been born." Which nursing diagnosis should the nurse include in patient's plan of care?

Accepted Answer

The patient's statement suggests a possible spiritual struggle or conflict, indicating spiritual distress.

Question 3

The partner of a psychiatric patient says, "This mental illness should not have happened.I tried to teach the importance of professing faith in God and getting converts, but my partner rejected them.Those practices keep me well.It's the only way to live." The nurse can assess that the spouse is demonstrating what form of religiosity?

Accepted Answer

The spouse is demonstrating "sick religiosity," which implies that the religious beliefs and practices are being used in an excessive or unbalanced way that is not helpful to the individual's mental health. This approach can result in feelings of guilt and shame for the individual who may believe that they are not doing enough to please a higher power.

Question 4

A caregiver says, "Both of my parents have dementia.I find it so difficult to care for them because of their disabilities.I get depressed and hopeless thinking about it.Can you give me any suggestions for coping?" Before making any suggestions, the nurse should implement what assessment?

Accepted Answer

Understanding the caregiver's religious ideology can provide insight into their coping mechanisms and support systems, which is crucial for offering appropriate and personalized suggestions for managing stress and depression.

Question 5

What is the predominant religious tradition in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Christianity is the predominant religious tradition in the United States, with over 70% of the population identifying as Christian in various denominations such as Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox. This is followed by other religions such as Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism, but they make up a much smaller percentage of the population.

Question 6

On the admission papers, a patient checked the box labeled "No religious affiliation." What meaning can the nurse draw from this information?

Accepted Answer

The choice "No religious affiliation" indicates that the patient does not identify with a specific religious group, which is a trend seen in a growing number of people who may still hold spiritual beliefs or values but do not associate with organized religion.

Question 7

A patient diagnosed with major depression shows the nurse a passage in the Bible and says, "How do you think this verse relates to me?" The nurse is unfamiliar with the verse and unsure how to respond.Select the nurse's best action.

Accepted Answer

Inviting professional clergy to join the dialog with the patient is the best action because it allows the patient to discuss the verse with someone who is knowledgeable about the Bible and can provide spiritual support.

Question 8

A nurse providing spiritual care for a patient awaiting a liver transplant demonstrates knowledge of anticipated spiritual needs by focusing on what area?

Accepted Answer

Patients awaiting organ transplant often confront their own mortality, as well as the fear of complications during the surgery and the possibility of rejection of the new organ. Therefore, addressing these spiritual concerns related to personal mortality is necessary.

Question 9

A patient tells the nurse, "I make decisions each day that have a positive effect on my life." This statement is most closely related to what spiritual construct?

Accepted Answer

The statement "I make decisions each day that have a positive effect on my life" is related to the spiritual construct of making meaning through choices, as it involves the individual taking responsibility for their own life and shaping it through their decisions. The other options (B, C, and D) are not as directly applicable to the statement made by the patient.

Question 10

Which statement made by a nurse demonstrates an understanding about why completing a spiritual assessment is important?

Accepted Answer

Accrediting organizations, such as the Joint Commission and the ANA, recognize spiritual care as an important aspect of providing holistic nursing care and regard it as a patient right. Completing a spiritual assessment is important to determine the spiritual needs and beliefs of the patient, and to provide appropriate spiritual care interventions. While A, C, and D may be valid statements, they do not specifically address the importance of completing a spiritual assessment.

Question 11

What information about a patient's perceptions and values would the nurse obtain by using questions from the HOPE tool? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The HOPE tool is designed to help healthcare providers gather comprehensive information about a patient's spiritual, religious, and personal beliefs that can affect medical care and decision-making. It includes questions about what gives the patient hope and meaning (B), their personal spiritual practices (C), the role of religion in their life (D), and their sources of strength and comfort (E). It does not specifically aim to distinguish between healthy spirituality and sick religiosity (A), which is more of a judgmental distinction not directly addressed by the HOPE questions.

Question 12

A depressed patient expresses feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and powerlessness.The patient's spiritual distress is best addressed by which nursing intervention?

Accepted Answer

Assisting the patient in finding meaning and hope through making personal choices empowers them and can help alleviate feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and powerlessness.

Question 13

A patient asks, "What religions are considered monotheistic? " The nurse understands that religions are included? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Monotheistic religions believe in one God or deity. Judaism, Islam, and Christianity all fit this description, while Buddhism and Wicca do not.

Question 14

Which statement by a mentally ill patient best exemplifies sick religiosity?

Accepted Answer

This statement reflects a strong belief in punishment after death, which can be a symptom of sick religiosity in mentally ill patients.

Question 15

The patient says, "I know I'm very sick right now, but I trust that God will make me better." Based on this statement, the nurse can assess the patient's spirituality as being based on what model?

Accepted Answer

The patient's statement indicates a belief in a higher power (God) who has the ability to improve their health, which aligns with theism. Humanism emphasizes individualism and self-actualization, behaviorism focuses on observable behavior and its conditioning, and existentialism emphasizes personal responsibility and choice in creating meaning and purpose in life.

Question 16

A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia says, "I am a reincarnation of Jesus.I can raise the dead." Who is the most qualified person for the nurse to refer the patient to?

Accepted Answer

A professional chaplain is the most qualified person to address the patient's religious delusions and beliefs, which are causing him to experience symptoms of schizophrenia. They are trained to provide spiritual support and guidance to individuals with mental illness and can help the patient explore their beliefs in a safe and non-judgmental environment. It is important to note that while a psychiatric nurse clinician, clinical psychologist, or community minister may also be able to provide some level of support, a professional chaplain is specifically trained to address the spiritual and religious needs of individuals with mental illness.

Question 17

A new nurse asks the mentor, "How can I help meet patients' spiritual needs?" What personal characteristics should the mentor focus upon? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The answer of A new nurse asks the mentor, "How...

Question 18

A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia, paranoid type, has been suspicious of staff since admission.The patient visits with a chaplain but then tells the nurse, "Don't send any more preachers." What is the most likely reason for the patient's reaction?

Accepted Answer

Patients with paranoid schizophrenia often have difficulty trusting others and may be suspicious of staff and visitors. This suspicion may extend to religious figures, leading the patient to reject further visits from chaplains or preachers. Hostility or distractibility may not be the primary factor in this situation, and the patient's ability to find meaning in suffering may not be relevant to this specific reaction.

Question 19

A patient says, "I know I need religion in my life, but I don't know how to find God.I feel I have been abandoned." The nurse should assess for a childhood history of what experience?

Accepted Answer

The patient's statement suggests a feeling of abandonment, which could be related to a lack of nurturing in childhood.

Quiz 6: Spiritual Issues