Deck 6: Spiritual Assessment

Question 1

Before a patient died,the physician asked the father for permission to use his son's organs,explaining that he is already "brain dead" and the respirator is keeping the other organs alive.The father's response,which is consistent with his Orthodox Jewish faith,would most likely be which of the following?

A) "Yes, God would want him to help others."
B) "No, his heart is still beating."
C) "Yes, his soul is already with God."
D) "Yes, but the procedure must be done before sundown."

Answer 1

"No, his heart is still beating."

Question 2

When conducting a spiritual assessment,you should obtain information about the patient's spiritual beliefs and how those beliefs might

A) conflict with the policies of the health care agency or institution.
B) affect the patient's views of health, illness, and health care.
C) lead to spiritual distress.
D) differ from your personal beliefs.

Answer 2

affect the patient's views of health, illness, and health care.

Question 3

An individual who is unsure that God exists is called a(n)

A) agnostic.
B) atheist.
C) heretic.
D) pagan.

Answer 3

agnostic.

Question 4

The general approach to conducting a spiritual assessment includes

A) performing it as part of history taking or conversationally during the physical exam or during patient care.
B) discussing your own spiritual or religious beliefs so the patient will feel comfortable sharing her beliefs.
C) positioning yourself slightly above and to the side of the patient to enhance your ability to observe verbal and nonverbal reactions.
D) beginning by asking, "What is your religion?"

Question 5

You assess a patient a few days after experiencing spiritual distress to evaluate the effects of your interventions.Which observation is the best indication that the patient's spiritual distress is resolving?

A) The patient is smiling, appears relaxed, and tells a few jokes.
B) The patient reports that her minister came by and prayed with her.
C) The patient states that she accepted spiritual support from her minister who visited today.
D) The patient states that she sleeps soundly after reading her Bible each night.

Question 6

A Muslim who believes in Allah and worships Allah in accordance with Islamic teachings and whose belief in Allah is manifested in thoughts and actions is considered to be

A) a religious person.
B) a spiritual person.
C) both spiritual and religious.
D) an Imam.

Question 7

Your patient relates to you that she devoutly follows Roman Catholic traditions.Which religious practice do you anticipate and verify with her?

A) eating only meat that has had all blood drained out of it before cooking
B) fasting before all religious holidays and festivals by eating no meat
C) fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
D) not eating meat and dairy products together at the same meal

Question 8

You should assess individuals for possible spiritual distress when they experience a change in their life or a crisis such as

A) changing jobs.
B) a serious or chronic illness.
C) planning elective surgery.
D) the retirement of their spiritual leader.

Question 9

Your patient,an Orthodox Jew,learns that his only son,after several days of intensive medical treatment,has just died of a sports-related head injury.Your patient reacts by crying and asking why God allows children to suffer and die.You recognize that your patient is grieving and is in a state of acute

A) emotional distress most likely due to his loss and feelings of guilt.
B) physical exhaustion most likely due to lack of sleep.
C) spiritual distress most likely due to long-standing anger toward God.
D) spiritual distress most likely due to his painful awareness of human mortality.

Question 10

Your patient,a 72-year-old retired Methodist minister,has just made a decision to enter hospice care.He sighs and then states in a shaky voice,"I prayed to God for healing,but He hasn't answered.I guess it's my time to go."Your best response would be which of the following?

A) "I know God cares for you; I'm sure He heard your prayers and will answer them in His time."
B) "I'm glad you're here now.We'll take good care of you."
C) "You seem to be feeling down; would you like to speak with the chaplain or your minister?"
D) "You may need some medication to help you through this hard time; I'll call your physician."

Question 11

According to Islamic beliefs,as a person nears death,the phrase "There is no God but Allah,and Mohammed is His Prophet," is repeated by one or more relatives and friends who

A) quietly chant in unison at the patient's bedside.
B) pour holy water into the mouth of the dying person.
C) silently pray on their knees at the patient's bedside.
D) whisper the words into the patient's ear.

Question 12

Which religious group discourages or prohibits cremation?

A) Buddhists
B) Christian Scientists
C) Jehovah's Witnesses
D) Jews

Question 13

Your patient states that she believes all things in nature have some form of life force,which is a belief embraced by

A) animistic religions.
B) cults.
C) pagan religions.
D) spirituality movement.

Question 14

Which statement related to preparations for her son's burial is characteristic of a person of the Jewish faith?

A) "He will be buried in 3 days."
B) "He will be cremated."
C) "Shivah will be held for 7 days in our home following the funeral."
D) "We will fast for 24 hours."

Question 15

The basic focus of spirituality is

A) God.
B) the purpose of life.
C) personal beliefs.
D) preparing for death.

Question 16

Your patient,who is a devout Roman Catholic,is hospitalized for treatment of her chronic heart condition.You notice that the patient is wearing a crucifix and has rosary beads in her hand and religious literature in her room.You respond by

A) asking if she plans on displaying other religious artifacts.
B) documenting your observations in her medical records.
C) offering to call her priest.
D) using this opportunity to ask her about her spiritual beliefs.

Question 17

A patient becomes hostile or uncomfortable when discussing religion and spirituality with the nurse.The nurse's best intervention is to

A) press him for details about why he is so hostile or uncomfortable.
B) offer to pray for him.
C) ask him if he would like you to call a specific religious leader.
D) record that the patient is uncomfortable with such issues, and move on to another topic.

Question 18

The relative of one of your patients states that,as his terminally ill brother approaches the time of death,his family requests that his body be placed on the floor and all who enter the room must do so in a quiet,peaceful manner.After the patient's death,the family will bathe him and cover his body in a white sheet in accordance with their religious beliefs.You acknowledge these customs as those of which religious group?

A) Buddhist
B) Hindu
C) Native American
D) Shinto

Question 19

Most practicing Christian Scientists believe that healing is obtained through prayer and Bible study,and they will

A) accept dental care and medical care only for selected situations such as broken bones and childbirth.
B) avoid hospitals and medical care in all situations.
C) receive treatment for health problems only if it is provided by a Christian Scientist practitioner.
D) receive medical treatment only in the presence of a Christian Scientist practitioner.

Question 20

It is important for you as a nurse to identify your own spiritual beliefs because

A) they will help you identify and understand your own biases and points of view, as well as help you empathize with patients and their decisions based on their own spiritual beliefs.
B) it is necessary to be able to express your views to your patients when doing their spiritual assessment.
C) you will be able to advise patients when dealing with issues of a spiritual nature.
D) you will be able to accept your patients' beliefs and help them even when their beliefs conflict with your personal beliefs.

Question 21

Religious and spiritual beliefs are associated with which of the following? Select all that apply.

A) Hope and optimism
B) Less depression and anxiety
C) Greater self-reports of well-being
D) Higher rates for depression and suicide
E) Greater marital satisfaction and stability
F) Increased use of alcohol and illegal drugs

Question 22

Which of the following are sacraments in the Roman Catholic religion? Select all that apply.

A) Baptism
B) Yom kippur
C) Confirmation
D) Matrimony
E) Confession
F) Circumcision

Question 23

Of the religious groups living in America,which groups are the most likely to be married,and to be married to someone of the same religion? Select all that apply.

A) Hindus
B) Muslims
C) Buddhists
D) Mormons
E) Catholics
F) Protestants

Question 24

The belief that after physical death a person lives another life on Earth in another body is called ____________________.

Question 25

It is appropriate to pray with a patient when

A) the nurse is of the same religion as the patient.
B) the patient requests it, the nurse feels comfortable with the request, and it will benefit the patient.
C) the patient is dying.
D) no one else is available to pray with the patient.

Question 26

An individual who is unsure that God exists is called a(n)____________________.

Question 27

Parish nursing is often called which of the following? Select all that apply.

A) Spiritual nursing
B) Religious nursing
C) Catholic nursing
D) Ministry nursing
E) Congregational nursing
F) Faith community nursing

Question 28

A 45-year-old female patient has just been admitted to the emergency department with severe wounds from a motor vehicle accident that killed her husband.She is conscious and aware of her husband's death and the severity of her wounds.She needs emergency surgery and is being taken to the operating room before any friends,relatives,or clergy can come to see her.She asks you to pray with her.What is the nurse's best response?

A) Grab her hand and pray for her to be forgiven of her sins so she can be healed.
B) Suddenly start wondering if you are comfortable praying with patients.
C) Say, "Sorry, it's against hospital policy to pray with patients."
D) If you are comfortable, hold her hands and say a brief prayer, silently or aloud.

Question 29

Which religious group will permit abortion only to save the life of the mother?

A) Hindu
B) Jehovah's Witnesses
C) Native American
D) Unitarian

Question 30

The nurse suspects a child's health is being harmed by the parent's religious beliefs.What is the best intervention by the nurse?

A) Report suspected child abuse to the appropriate agency according to state laws.
B) Do not allow the parents to visit the child.
C) Station a hospital security person outside the child's room to prevent parents or visitors from entering.
D) Ask the parents to pray about their actions.

Question 31

A patient who is a Jehovah's Witness refuses life-saving blood or blood products and will probably die without them.What nursing intervention is the best?

A) Try to argue with the patient about his beliefs.
B) Separate the patient from family, visitors, or religious leaders who support the patient's beliefs.
C) Lecture the patient about the fact that these beliefs may be harmful to self and may result in death.
D) Show respect for the patient's right to his own belief system.Notify the nursing supervisor and possibly obtain an ethics committee consultation.

Question 32

Religions that recognize many gods with different levels of power and status,such as Hinduism,are called ____________________ religions.

Question 33

The father of a hospitalized child tells the nurse,"She can't have meat.We are Buddhists and vegetarians." The nurse's best intervention is to

A) help the father understand that meat provides protein needed for healing.
B) explain that hospital patients are exempt from dietary rules.
C) ask a Buddhist priest to visit.
D) order the child a meatless tray.

Question 34

Solemn and ceremonial acts that reinforce faith are called ____________________.

Question 35

The role of the nurse in the spiritual care of patients includes which of the following? Select all that apply.

A) Choosing the most appropriate treatment for the patient
B) Evaluating the patient's use of prayer in the health care setting
C) Formulating a medical diagnosis based on the spiritual assessment
D) Becoming knowledgeable about different religions and spiritual practices
E) Performing a spiritual assessment in order to learn more about the patient's beliefs
F) Planning, implementing, and evaluating appropriate strategies for spiritual care of the patient

Question 36

Buddhism views treatment for infertility and _____________________ as unnatural and therefore discourage these practices.

Question 37

According to their religious teachings and beliefs,most Jehovah's Witnesses will accept medical treatment unless it involves receiving

A) whole blood, packed red blood cells (RBCs), or blood products.
B) vasopressors.
C) Hespan.
D) intraoperative blood salvage.

Question 38

Which religious group discourages autopsies?

A) Hindu
B) Jehovah's Witness
C) Mormon
D) Unitarian

Question 39

Which religious group discourages organ donation?

A) Islam, Judaism
B) Christian Science, Native American religions
C) Jehovah's Witness, Mormon
D) Protestants, Unitarian