Deck 8: Ethnic, Cultural, and Spiritual Aspects of Care

Question 1

A Native American patient tells a nurse that she does not desire medical treatment for her terminal illness. Respecting the patient's decision, the nurse explains to staff nurses that

A) The Native American culture dictates that terminal illnesses are to be treated only by folk healers.
B) Terminal illness is believed to be a condition created by an imbalance in yin and yang.
C) Some Native Americans feel that rituals performed by a shaman are the best treatment for illness.
D) Illness is a result of sinful behavior, so medical treatment will not be effective.

Answer 1

Some Native Americans feel that rituals performed by a shaman are the best treatment for illness.

Question 2

A nurse plans care that includes a patient's health-care beliefs because

A) The patient otherwise could accuse the nurse of stereotyping.
B) Not doing so could result in a patient's discrimination claim.
C) It could determine whether a patient rejects treatment.
D) It results in more expedient and cost-effective care.

Answer 2

It could determine whether a patient rejects treatment.

Question 3

A patient admitted for depression tells a nurse that he feels so hopeless that he doesn't care if he lives or dies. The patient tells the nurse that he no longer attends church with his family. The nurse identifies that possibly the patient

A) Does not value faith the way he previously had.
B) Wishes to be left alone to reflect on his lost faith.
C) Could be experiencing spiritual distress.
D) Wants the nurse to discuss his feelings with his family.

Answer 3

Could be experiencing spiritual distress.

Question 4

It is important for a nurse to understand that the American family of a dying Hindu patient may

A) Expect the nurse to prepare the body for burial.
B) Use amulets to ward off evil spirits lingering after death.
C) Get comfort from visiting with a psychiatrist or psychologist.
D) Exhibit grieving by thinking only happy thoughts about their loved one.

Question 5

A nurse may fail to provide spiritual care for a patient if

A) The nurse does not understand the relationship between mind, body, and spirit.
B) The nurse's religious background differs greatly from that of his or her patient.
C) The nurse believes that a patient's illness is caused by his or her lack of religious practice.
D) The nurse notifies a clergyman, with the patient's consent, to provide spiritual care.

Question 6

A patient in spiritual distress asks a nurse what he thinks about religion. Which of the following replies would be appropriate and therapeutic?

A) "Religion is not for everyone. Whether you go to church or not does not affect your health, so don't worry so much about it."
B) "We all worry from time to time about whether our beliefs are based on truth or not, so it's normal to worry some."
C) "An individual's feelings about religion are personal. I cannot divulge personal information about myself."
D) "I find comfort in my religious beliefs. Is there a member of the clergy with whom you would like to visit?"

Question 7

In preparation for contributing to a patient's plan of care, a nurse will assess a patient's rituals, values, customs, and beliefs. The nurse is assessing the patient's

A) Culture.
B) Race.
C) Ethnicity.
D) Heritage.

Question 8

A nurse suspects that a female patient may have difficulty increasing the protein in her diet. The patient is most likely

A) Hindu.
B) Jewish.
C) Asian.
D) Mexican.

Question 9

Nurses who are comfortable in their religious beliefs are more likely to understand the importance of good spiritual health in patients because they know

A) Religious beliefs determine patients' concepts of good health practices.
B) Patients who practice religion do not suffer spiritual distress.
C) Patients with strong belief systems do not suffer long-term illnesses.
D) Religious beliefs give individuals hope and motivate them toward a better outcome.

Question 10

A charge nurse will take into consideration when making nursing assignments that a 62-year-old Muslim woman will

A) Be assigned a female nurse.
B) Require more care than other patients.
C) Require yogurt and sweets be provided at every meal.
D) Need a nurse who has an understanding of astrology.

Question 11

A female Muslim patient is hospitalized and is scheduled for surgery later in the day. In preparing the patient for surgery, a nurse will

A) Get the patient's husband to also sign the consent form.
B) Make arrangements for family members to bring kosher food from home because a normal diet is allowed.
C) Perform "laying on of the hands," or allow a trained individual to do so.
D) Allow a shaman to perform a healing ritual in an attempt to thwart surgical intervention.

Question 12

A nurse is caring for a Mormon patient who had complications following the birth of her sixth child. Although the physician has told the patient that another pregnancy could result in her death, the patient tells the nurse that she refuses permanent sterilization. The nurse is aware that

A) The Mormon faith does not permit sterilization.
B) The patient is afraid of having more children.
C) If the patient becomes pregnant again, she will most likely seek an abortion.
D) The patient believes her complications were caused by her sins.

Question 13

A nurse provides care to the whole patient, incorporating within that care the cultural context of the patient's beliefs and values. The nurse is providing care that is

A) Culturally competent.
B) Culturally insensitive.
C) Culturally incompetent.
D) Culturally assimilated.

Question 14

While a nurse is trying to complete the morning care for a female patient, she tells the nurse that she does not want anyone else in the room while her spiritual advisor is visiting. The nurse will

A) Assure the patient that once her bath is done, she may see her spiritual advisor.
B) Suggest that she ask her spiritual advisor to visit later because there are several more patients who need to be cared for as well.
C) Tell the patient that he or she will leave the room if the spiritual advisor visits.
D) Ask the patient when the spiritual advisor plans to visit and schedule her care around it.

Question 15

A nurse provides care that is unique to a patient's race. The nurse is taking into account the patient's

A) Acculturation.
B) Ethnocentrism.
C) Diversity.
D) Ethnicity.

Question 16

The nurse of a Jewish patient who has just died knows that some Jewish families believe that

A) No one, with the exception of close family members, is permitted to touch the body.
B) Only a member of Chevra Kadisha should touch or prepare the body for burial.
C) The eyes must not be closed, nor may anyone remain with the body after preparation for burial.
D) The patient's feet must be positioned away from the exit.

Question 17

A female patient who was admitted for severe low-back pain has asked a nurse if she can have more pain medication. The nurse tells coworkers that patients admitted with back pain are drug seeking. The nurse is likely demonstrating

A) Misunderstanding.
B) Prejudice.
C) Discrimination.
D) Empathy.

Question 18

A nurse, in addressing spirituality concerns of a patient, will first assess

A) Whether the patient practices a religion.
B) A patient's understanding of religion.
C) The patient's definition of morality.
D) Whether the patient has a lower frequency of health complaints.

Question 19

A nurse thoughtfully plans care that will be provided to the patients assigned to him or her. To provide culturally competent nursing care, the nurse will

A) Deliver appropriate care that is not discriminating to any race, sex, or ethnic group.
B) Become familiar with any facet of the patient's culture that may have an impact on his or her care.
C) Show respect for each individual for whom he or she provides care.
D) Openly discuss his or her thoughts and beliefs about the patient's culture.

Question 20

A male patient in dire need of medical assistance has refused treatment, stating it is against his religion. A nurse correctly identifies and documents the patient's refusals of treatment because he is a

A) Latter Day Saint.
B) Seventh Day Adventist.
C) Christian Scientist.
D) Buddhist.

Question 21

An Asian American patient explains to a nurse that yin and yang can be compared with the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and the way they maintain balance in the body. This type of belief is an example of

A) A magico-religious belief.
B) Folk healing.
C) A biomedical based belief.
D) A holistically based belief.

Question 22

An instructor explains that a nurse must provide care to the patient and show respect for and incorporate the patient's specific cultural beliefs and values into his or her care. This idea is known as

A) Morality.
B) Cultural sensitivity.
C) Diversity.
D) Cultural awareness.

Question 23

Usually caused by misguided and unfounded beliefs about the race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, or religion of the person or group, ____________________ can cause a patient to become reluctant to seek further assistance from a nurse or other health-care providers.

Question 24

A nurse has been asked by family members if their loved one can receive an anointment with oils. The nurse provides privacy for the anointing because he or she knows that the patient is likely which of the following?

A) Catholic
B) Seventh Day Adventist
C) Latter Day Saint
D) Christian Scientist
E) Member of the Amish faith

Question 25

A nurse tells the charge nurse that her patient will not accept his lunch tray. When questioned, the nurse states, "Well, I think it's because most Asians are Buddhists and are vegetarians." This is an example of ____________________.

Question 26

After a Seventh Day Adventist clergyman performed anointing of oil, a nurse bathed the patient. Upon entering the room, the family immediately became upset. When questioned by the nurse, the family states:

A) "Bathing is painful and we don't wish anyone to cause him further discomfort."
B) "He should not have been bathed for several hours following anointment with oils."
C) "The Church forbids anyone but family to bathe loved ones."
D) "His bath should be done by a nurse of the same sex."

Question 27

An instructor explains that patients are different. Their beliefs are different. Their responses to illness and wellness are different depending on their cultural backgrounds-even patients from the same cultural group may have differences in their health-care beliefs and practices. The knowledge of various cultural beliefs and values is known as cultural ____________________.

Question 28

A determination or judgment about a person or group based on an irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular group, race, sexual orientation, or religion is known as ____________________.

Question 29

A nurse is aware that a patient who is experiencing spiritual distress may do which of the following?

A) Exhibit feelings of hopelessness.
B) Show signs of depression.
C) Read the Bible.
D) Request a visit from a member of the clergy.
E) Exhibit anger at God.

Question 30

A nursing diagnosis for a patient suffering a terminal illness is "spiritual distress." Based on the diagnosis, which of the following is an appropriate nursing intervention?

A) Allowing the patient to express concerns about dying
B) Soliciting an appropriate member of the clergy with the patient's consent
C) Suggesting that family members limit their visits during the patient's distress
D) Providing comfort by sitting quietly at the patient's bedside
E) Encouraging the patient to leave the TV on and to keep room blinds open

Question 31

A nurse who provides holistic nursing care is said to be ____________________ competent.

Question 32

Care that crosses cultural boundaries or combines the elements of more than one culture is known as ____________________ nursing.

Question 33

A nurse is caring for a Jewish patient with strong cultural beliefs. The nurse must intervene when food services brings him

A) Steak.
B) Fish fillet.
C) Bacon and eggs.
D) Chicken breast.

Question 34

An elderly Caucasian female patient tells a male nurse that she does not want him to be her nurse. An appropriate initial response by the nurse would be to say:

A) "You are not comfortable with a male nurse?"
B) "You need to calm down."
C) "Discriminating against me may affect the care you receive."
D) "I'll stay with you until you feel more comfortable with me."

Question 35

A female Hindu patient with a broken right hand has not touched her vegetarian food for several meals. The nurse intervenes once realizing the problem is

A) Hindus do not like vegetarian food.
B) Hindus can only eat after sundown.
C) Hindus avoid eating with their left hand.
D) Hindus can only eat if they are facing east.