Deck 6: Spiritual Awareness

Question 1

The nurse is caring for a patient of the Muslim faith who prays ritually several times daily. The patient tells the nurse, "I don't know how I can possibly pray using my prayer rugs here in the hospital." What is the nurse's best response?

A) "Prayer is an important part of healing for every patient. I will make sure you can have your prayer rugs here in the hospital."
B) "Prayer using a prayer rug is not usually encouraged in the hospital. I will ask my nursing supervisor about your request."
C) "I understand that this ritual is important to you. I will do my best to make sure you have your prayer rugs here in the hospital."
D) "I understand that this ritual is important to you. While prayer using a prayer rug is not encouraged in the hospital, I will see what I can do."

Answer 1

"I understand that this ritual is important to you. I will do my best to make sure you have your prayer rugs here in the hospital."

Question 2

A nurse is performing a spiritual assessment on a patient with depression. What does the nurse recognize as the key concept to a spiritual assessment?

A) Learn how the patient answers questions about his or her religion and how satisfied the patient is with those answers.
B) Learn how the patient answers questions about the meaning of life and how satisfied the patient is with those answers.
C) Assess how the patient answers questions about formal spiritual practices and how his or her symptoms interfere with these practices.
D) Assess how the patient answers a series of standardized questions that reveal the patient's choices of health care practices and religious choices.

Answer 2

Learn how the patient answers questions about the meaning of life and how satisfied the patient is with those answers.

Question 3

The nurse is caring for a patient who is Muslim. What does the nurse recognize as typical core beliefs of the Islamic faith? Select all that apply.

A) The universe has no beginning and no end.
B) It is the fastest growing religion worldwide.
C) There are three paths to spiritual fulfillment: knowledge, insight, and wisdom; action; and ecstatic devotion.
D) Suffering is a part of human growth and change, but God, Allah, does not test people beyond what they can bear.
E) On the last day, God, Allah will judge people based on what they have done and assign them to either heaven or hell.

Answer 3

It is the fastest growing religion worldwide.
On the last day, God, Allah will judge people based on what they have done and assign them to either heaven or hell.

Question 4

The nurse is caring for a dying patient who tells the nurse that he believes in karma. Which religion does the nurse suspect the patient follows? Select all that apply.

A) Islam
B) Judaism
C) Hinduism
D) Buddhism
E) Christianity

Question 5

The nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient who is Christian. The nurse recognizes that the patient's suffering can be a challenge to which core belief that is central to Christianity.

A) The idea of repentance
B) The idea that God is love
C) The idea of reincarnation
D) The idea that God is all-powerful

Question 6

The nurse is caring for a patient who is anticipating the loss of a limb following an accident. The patient states, "I feel like I have no control over this." What nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for this patient?

A) Powerlessness
B) Hopelessness
C) Spiritual distress
D) Ineffective coping

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a patient who has dysfunctional grieving after the traumatic loss of a spouse. The patient tells the nurse, "I'm so mad at God." What nursing diagnosis would be most appropriate for this patient?

A) Hopelessness
B) Powerlessness
C) Risk for violence
D) Spiritual distress

Question 8

The nurse is caring for a patient who is suffering from severe depression. How can the nurse best help the patient find meaning in the experience of suffering from mental illness?

A) Suggest answers when the patient questions the meaning of life.
B) Listen and be present when the patient questions the meaning of life.
C) Listen and offer answers when the patient questions the meaning of life.
D) Encourage the patient to discuss well-formulated answers to the meaning of life.

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a patient with a major mental illness who is experiencing distress. The nurse suggests that the patient join a support group for patients with the disease. How can the group setting bring comfort to the patient? Select all that apply.

A) Discussing individual goals
B) Confronting unhealthy ideas
C) Addressing physical symptoms of the disease
D) Receiving support from others with the disease
E) Addressing issues of stigma and dysfunctional beliefs

Question 10

The nurse is assessing a patient's spirituality. What does the nurse recognize as one of the most important aspects of a belief system, according to Sharon Parks?

A) It is based on a foundation of truth and evidence as proved by science.
B) It is based on a foundation that is strong enough to handle the changes in religious beliefs.
C) It is based on a foundation that is strong enough to handle the changes and challenges of life.
D) It is based on a foundation of religious belief and practices as performed by those who follow it.

Question 11

The nurse is performing a spiritual assessment on a newly admitted patient. In addition to asking a patient how he or she answers life's questions, what is also important for the nurse to ask during the patient's spiritual assessment?

A) How well the patient's answers are working for him or her
B) How well the patient's answers fit into his or her religion
C) How well the patient's answers are accepted by family members
D) How well the patient's answers are working for his or her family

Question 12

The nurse is planning care for a patient who is terminally ill. The nurse chooses spiritual distress as the patient's nursing diagnosis. What clinical observations or manifestations warrant this nursing diagnosis?

A) Lack of initiative
B) Decreased or flat affect
C) Expressing lack of control
D) Expressing lack of purpose in life

Question 13

The nurse is assessing the religious and spiritual beliefs of a patient with mental illness. The nurse understands that which is generally true with regard to spirituality and religion in the care of patients with mental illness? Select all that apply.

A) Spirituality is a predictor of better outcomes in some major mental illnesses.
B) Spirituality is not a predictor of better outcomes in some major mental illnesses.
C) The ability to forgive has been associated with having a religious faith.
D) Religious individuals may have some protection against the physiological consequences of stress.
E) Definitive evidence has proved the relationship between religious beliefs and mental health and illness.

Question 14

A novice nurse is learning about the importance of patient spiritual care and discussing the differences between religion and spirituality. What statement by the nurse indicates that the nurse understands this concept?

A) "Spirituality is a universal idea among all human beings, whereas the term religion represents a formal faith in which only some individuals participate."
B) "Spirituality is a broader term, whereas the term religion represents a formalized, and often structured, way of answering questions about the nature of life."
C) "Spirituality is a structured and formal way of answering questions about the nature of life, whereas the term religion represents a formal practice of one's beliefs."
D) "Spirituality is the detailed and organized way of individuals answering questions about the nature of life, whereas the term religion represents a group of individuals."

Question 15

The nurse is caring for a patient with depression who expresses hopelessness. How can the nurse use spirituality to comfort the patient? Select all that apply.

A) Provide a quiet place for pray or for reading religious texts.
B) Schedule activities around designated times for prayer or religious observances.
C) Encourage the patient to use his or her beliefs to deal with the feelings of hopelessness.
D) Encourage the patient to seek the reason for the feelings of hopelessness by attending group therapy.
E) Suggest the patient discuss the reason for the feelings of hopelessness with the patient's clergy member or spiritual advisor.

Question 16

The nurse is caring for a patient who is dying. The patient's family member tells the nurse, "I hope my husband finds Nirvana quickly." Which religion is most commonly associated with belief in Nirvana?

A) Islam
B) Buddhism
C) Hinduism
D) Christianity

Question 17

The nurse is assessing an individual's spirituality. Which components would the nurse identify as relating to the patient's overall health? Select all that apply.

A) The need to answer questions about life
B) The need to worship the transcendent
C) The desire to attend religious ceremonies
D) The desire to live in harmony with the transcendent
E) The need to recognize something that is bigger than ourselves

Question 18

A nurse is performing a spirituality assessment on a patient who is being admitted with acute mania. What question will the nurse ask the patient during the initial assessment of the patient's spirituality? Select all that apply.

A) "Do you have a religious preference?"
B) "What is your source of support or meaning in this experience?"
C) "Are there any spiritual or religious practices that are important to you?"
D) "Would you like me to contact your clergy member or religious leader?"
E) "In what ways has your illness affected your view of yourself or of others or your faith?"

Question 19

A nurse is caring for a patient of a particular faith who is terminally ill. What is the nurse's best understanding regarding the patient's spirituality?

A) The patient's spirituality is defined by the religion's structure.
B) Spirituality is defined by the patient, not by the patient's religion.
C) Spirituality is defined by the patient's religion, not by the patient.
D) The patient's spirituality is defined by the religion's transcendent figure.

Question 20

A patient with chronic pain tells the nurse "I just want to give up all together. I am in so much pain every day, all the time. I don't want to do this anymore." Which is the priority nursing diagnosis for this patient?

A) Hopelessness
B) Powerlessness
C) Spiritual distress
D) Chronic pain

Question 21

The nurse is caring for a patient who has a strong Christian faith. What is most important for the nurse to determine about the patient's beliefs?

A) Whether the beliefs have been proven by others of the same faith
B) Whether the beliefs have been present for an extended period of time
C) Whether the beliefs seem to be logical and enhance the patient's faith
D) Whether the beliefs seem to interfere with or enhance the patient's growth and well-being

Question 22

The nurse is caring for a patient with bipolar disorder. The patient tells the nurse, "I don't know why God gave me this disease. It is so tough to deal with this condition." What is the nurse's best response?

A) "You mentioned God. Do you have a religion that you follow?"
B) "You're right, it is tough. Try to remember that God only gives you what you can handle."
C) "You mentioned God. Is your faith something that is important to you when dealing with your illness?"
D) "You're right, it is hard to deal with your condition. Perhaps joining a support group would help you."

Question 23

The nurse is caring for a patient who has suicidal ideations. The patient tells the nurse, "My boyfriend told the cops that I was planning to kill myself. That's why I'm in the hospital." What is the nurse's best response?

A) "Do you feel you need to be in the hospital?"
B) "Your boyfriend must love you very much, right?"
C) "Your boyfriend thought you were planning to kill yourself?"
D) "Do you think your boyfriend meant well by telling the police you were planning to kill yourself?"

Question 24

The nurse is caring for a patient who has major depressive disorder. The patient tells the nurse, "I sometimes wonder what my family would think if I killed myself. I wonder if they would even care." What is the nurse's best response?

A) "Are you thinking about killing yourself right now?"
B) "Why would you think that killing yourself is the answer?"
C) "Are you thinking that killing yourself would solve your problems?"
D) "Why would you think your family wouldn't care if you killed yourself?"

Question 25

The nurse is caring for a patient with a major mental illness who is refusing to take the prescribed medication to treat the condition. The patient tells the nurse, "Taking that medication is against my religion." What is the nurse's best response?

A) "This medication does not go against your religion or your spirituality."
B) "You can be assured that your religion will not be compromised by taking this medication."
C) "Tell me in what way taking this medication might go against your religious beliefs."
D) "This medication is used to treat your disease and you must take it, regardless of your religion or spirituality."

Question 26

A nurse is caring for a patient with schizophrenia who has delusions that are religious in nature. What is most important for the nurse to remember when caring for this patient?

A) The delusions manifest as a result of spiritual distress.
B) The delusions are intertwined with the patient's religion.
C) The patient may not be mentally ill if the delusions are not persecutory.
D) The patient may be expressing his or her beliefs as well as having delusions.

Question 27

The nurse is caring for a patient who recently found a new religion. A family member tells the nurse that the family is concerned because the patient has difficulty maintaining relationships because of the patient's beliefs. What is the nurse's best response?

A) Assess for toxic faith.
B) Assess for the presence of delusions.
C) Ask the patient about these concerns.
D) Ask the patient to explain his or her beliefs to the family member.

Question 28

The nurse is caring for a patient with schizophrenia who presents to the primary care clinic for a wellness exam. The patient tells the nurse, "I stopped taking my medications two weeks ago because I have been feeling great and I don't think I need them anymore." What is the nurse's best response?

A) "Please tell me why you do not want to take these medications."
B) "Let me review the importance of taking the medications as prescribed."
C) "Let me review the nature of your illness and the action of the medications."
D) "Please tell me how you are feeling and why you stopped taking these medications."