Deck 42: Spirituality

Question 1

During the morning bath, the client asks if the nurse is religious and believes in God. What guideline would be most helpful to the nurse in formulating a response to this question?

A) Will sharing this information positively contribute to the relationship?
B) What is the culture of the facility regarding self-disclosure?
C) The nurse's personal life is none of the client's business.
D) Religion and politics are two subjects not discussed in polite society.

Answer 1

Will sharing this information positively contribute to the relationship?

Question 2

An older adult client wants to discuss his impending death and make peace with his estranged family. The nurse should:

A) tell the client that his family are sure to care.
B) pat the client's hand and leave the room.
C) encourage disclosure with open-ended questions.
D) minimise the issue to avoid spiritual pain.

Answer 2

encourage disclosure with open-ended questions.

Question 3

The client states, "I don't know what all this fuss is about religion. God died years ago." The nurse does believe in God and has a strong inclination to share reasons for that belief with the client. What is the best question for the nurse to consider before responding to the client's remark?

A) "Will I get into trouble if I say anything?"
B) "Am I meeting my needs or the client's?"
C) "How can I best make this client understand?"
D) "How much longer will I be caring for this client?"

Answer 3

"Am I meeting my needs or the client's?"

Question 4

A client is concerned because hospitalisation will interfere with his ability to participate in the religious rituals that traditionally surround the Christmas season. What nursing diagnosis would the nurse add to this client's care plan?

Question 5

Match the following terms and examples.
1. Atheist
2. Agnostic
3. Monotheism
4. Polytheism
A. Doubts the existence of God
B. Without belief in God
C. Belief in existence of more than one God
D. Belief in existence of one God

Question 6

The nurse has identified that many of the clients in the long-term care facility have spiritual concerns and distress. What is the nurse's first step in becoming a competent provider for these clients?

A) The nurse should start going to church more often.
B) The nurse must possess a healthy spiritual self-awareness.
C) The nurse should establish regular religious services in the facility.
D) The nurse must learn about diverse spiritual beliefs and practices.

Question 7

The female client belongs to a religious community that requires women to dress conservatively in clothing that covers the arms and the knees. This client expresses concern that her body will be exposed during a scheduled cardiac catheterisation. How should the nurse respond to this concern?

A) Tell the client that medical personnel have seen so many people's bodies that they don't even notice any longer.
B) Explain to the client that in order to perform the study, her body must be exposed.
C) Make a note in the client's chart that she is particularly modest.
D) Ask the cath lab charge nurse to ensure female staff undertake the procedure.

Question 8

The family of a dying client has informed the nurse that their religion requires a ritual bath be given by members of the faith after death. Since the hospital unit is very busy and there is an acute need for every bed, how should the nurse respond to this request?

A) Notify the mortuary of the family's request.
B) Tell the family that the bath will have to take place after the body is removed from the hospital.
C) Arrange for supplies and privacy for the family.
D) Allow the family to give the bath, but give them a one-hour deadline for completion.

Question 9

After asking general assessment questions regarding spirituality, the nurse finds the client content and satisfied. How should the nurse conduct the rest of the assessment?

A) The nurse should validate spiritual information with the client's family.
B) No further specific spiritual assessment is currently necessary.
C) The assessment can now move on to physical assessment.
D) Specific questions regarding beliefs should be included.

Question 10

The nurse assesses that a client is experiencing spiritual distress. What should be the nurse's primary intervention?

A) Ask the client what religion is practised in the home.
B) Identify the client's belief in a Supreme Being.
C) Establish a trusting nurse-client relationship.
D) Have the client describe the basic problem.

Question 11

The client tells the nurse, "I don't know what to do. The treatment plan my physician has suggested is against some of my religious beliefs." What nursing diagnosis problem statement should the nurse assign to this client?

A) Decisional Conflict.
B) Ineffective Coping.
C) Anxiety.
D) Impaired Religiosity.

Question 12

During labour, it becomes apparent that the male infant will survive only a short time after birth. Since this baby's parents are Catholic, what planning should the nurse consider?

A) Arrange to have the baby circumcised immediately after birth.
B) Ask the hospital chaplain to be present in the delivery room.
C) Consider emergency transport of the mother to a Catholic hospital.
D) Ask the nursing supervisor to find a Catholic nurse to attend the birth.

Question 13

The client being prepared for an elective outpatient colonoscopy asks to be allowed to wear a religious medal during the procedure. The client states, "I have worn this medal and have not removed it since I was a teenager". What action should be taken by the nurse?

A) Remove the medal and place it on the head of the bed where the client will be able to see it during the procedure.
B) Tell the client that the medal must be removed as it is policy to remove all jewellery for these procedures.
C) Tell the client that the nurse will explain to the colonoscopy staff about the medal and will request that they allow the client to wear it.
D) Tell the client that the medal can be worn.

Question 14

A client who is devoutly Jewish is hospitalised during Yom Kippur, a time when many of the Jewish faith fast. The client expresses a desire to follow this religious pattern. How should the nurse respond to this wish?

A) Remind the client that most religions excuse persons who are ill from fasting.
B) Tell the client that the physician must make this decision.
C) Support the client's desires to the extent possible.
D) Attempt to convince the client to ignore the tradition due to illness.

Question 15

The nurse has developed a strong rapport with a client whose medical care necessitates transfusion of multiple units of blood. The client has a religious objection to this treatment even though it is necessary to sustain life. What action should be taken by the nurse?

A) Use the rapport established to influence the client to accept the blood transfusions.
B) Encourage the client, the physician, and the client's spiritual adviser to discuss this conflict and any possible alternative therapies.
C) Explain the scientific reasons that blood transfusions are necessary and why refusal is dangerous.
D) Suggest to the client that as the illness progresses, the blood will probably be transfused despite religious objections.

Question 16

A nurse working in a dementia unit is planning care for the clients to enhance spiritual health. The nurse recognises that older adults with dementia can express their hope and creativity through:

A) telling their stories.
B) music activities.
C) painting activities.
D) All of the above.

Question 17

As a part of care planning, the nurse considers the client's spiritual needs. What is the rationale for this concern?

A) Until spiritual needs are met, physical needs cannot be healed.
B) Meeting the client's spiritual needs can decrease suffering.
C) Nurses are the only health professionals that provide this type of holistic care.
D) It is important that the nurse's idea of spirituality matches the client's ideas.

Question 18

During assessment, the client tells the nurse, "I don't believe that the existence of God has been proven. I don't see the scientific evidence I need to be certain." How does the nurse document this finding?

A) The client has beliefs that support monotheism.
B) The client is an atheist.
C) The client demonstrates polytheism.
D) The client is agnostic.

Question 19

The client who has been hospitalised for three weeks following a severe motor vehicle crash tells the nurse that religion and religious matters mean a great deal more now than before the incident. What nursing diagnosis would the nurse add to this client's care plan?

Question 20

The client who was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus one year ago is hospitalised in diabetic ketoacidosis after a religious fast. The client tells the nurse, "I have fasted during this season every year since I became an adult. I am not going to stop now." The nurse is not knowledgeable about this particular religion. What is the best action for this nurse?

A) Tell the client that it is different now because of the diabetes.
B) Request a consult from a diabetes educator or dietitian.
C) Ask family members of the same religion to discuss fasting with the client.
D) Do some research into the meaning of fasting in this religion.

Question 21

The emergency department nurse contacts the admissions office to request a bed for a bed-bound client who is a practising Muslim. Acting as an advocate for the client, what request should the nurse make of the admission clerk?

A) A bed that faces east will be best.
B) Have the bed stripped as the client will provide special sheets.
C) Please try to find a private room.
D) If the only available room is semi-private, the other client should be Muslim.

Question 23

How can the nurse best support the spiritual development of a hospitalised 5-year-old?

A) Listen to the child's routine bedtime prayer.
B) Encourage the child to pray before each meal.
C) Ask the child who God is.
D) Bring a Bible storybook in to read to the child at bedtime.

Question 24

The nurse has obtained supplies to change a complex abdominal dressing on a postoperative client. When the nurse arrives at the room, the client is praying with family. What action should be taken by the nurse?

A) Quietly shut the door and wait in the hall until asked to enter.
B) Come to the bedside and join in with the prayer.
C) Stand quietly just inside the room door until the prayer is completed.
D) Politely ask the client to allow the dressing change to proceed.

Question 25

During assessment, the client says that it has been "a long time" since she has thought very much about religion. The nurse caring for this client has a strong belief in God and the healing power of prayer. What action should be taken by the nurse?

A) Tell the client that the nurse will pray for her often.
B) Refer the client for spiritual counselling.
C) Mention the nurse's belief and offer to pray with the client for forgiveness.
D) Ask the client if there are any spiritual needs with which the staff can assist.

Question 26

Evidence shows that spiritual wellbeing is directly correlated with ________ and less medical illness among older adults.

Question 27

The nurse and client have spent several minutes praying together that the client's upcoming surgery will be successful. What action should the nurse take at this point?

A) Ask the client if there is anything else the nurse can do.
B) Smile and pat the client and silently leave the room.
C) Gently tell the client that the nurse must take care of other duties.
D) Stay with the client until the emotion evoked by the prayer dissipates.

Question 28

The nurse caring for wheelchair-dependent residents of a long-term care environment has developed a care plan that includes taking the clients outside and assisting them in planting and maintaining a garden. What is the best rationale for this plan?

A) Fresh vegetables from the garden are good sources of nutritional fibre.
B) Sunshine helps activate vitamin D.
C) Keeping in touch with nature is a form of spiritual care.
D) Accreditation agencies require that the residents have regular outings.

Question 29

The newly hired nurse notices that co-workers routinely pray with clients and their families. The nurse has never been particularly religious or spiritual and is unaccustomed to praying, but holds no strong feeling against prayer. What is the best strategy for the nurse to plan for such situations?

A) Arrange to have a co-worker substitute for the nurse in these prayer situations.
B) Try to ensure assignment to clients who are unlikely to request prayer.
C) Just stand silently at the bedside and let others in the room do the praying.
D) Memorise two or three short, formal prayers to use when prayer is requested.