Question 1

A nurse is caring for a Catholic patient who has just given birth to a nonviable fetus. When considering the religion of this patient, the nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Within the Catholic religion, infants must be baptized soon after birth because of the belief that babies not baptized will not go to Heaven. Even aborted fetuses must be baptized. If a priest is not immediately available, the nurse may baptize by pouring holy water on the head and saying, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Question 2

Protestant denominations that use their own holy books in addition to the Bible include: (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Protestant denominations that use another holy book in addition to the Bible are Christian Scientists, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Unification Church.

Question 3

A nursing instructor is educating a group of nursing students about cultural values practiced by Arab Americans. The nursing instructor would recognize the need for further patient education if a nursing student states, "I will:

Accepted Answer

Arab Americans do not eat pork or drink alcohol. It is considered rude to pass things with the left hand because it is considered "unclean." It is considered rude to sit with the sole of the shoe within view of someone. Arab women are uncomfortable with care performed by males.

Question 4

The nurse supervisor becomes concerned when observing the nurse caring for an Orthodox Jewish patient preparing to trim the patient's beard with a(n):

Accepted Answer

Practicing members of Orthodox Judaism view the beard as a sign of holiness, and no blade must touch the skin. Scissors or an electric razor may be used.

Question 5

A nurse is caring for a patient of the Muslim faith. The nurse would send the food tray back if it contains:

Accepted Answer

Practicing Muslims do not consume pork or alcoholic beverages. They also forbid cremation.

Question 6

A practicing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is being prepared for surgery on his left knee. The nurse should remove all the personal possessions with the exception of:

Accepted Answer

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints may wear sacred undergarments that should only be removed in an emergency. If removed, the undergarments should be put back on as soon as possible.

Question 7

Karen is a recent graduate. She is planning to go to India with her church group as a nurse on a medical mission trip. She will be working in a church funded clinic. Which of the following shows willingness for the development of cultural competence?

Accepted Answer

Nurses must develop cultural competence in order to deliver care that meets standards of culturally congruent care. Developing cultural competence is a lifelong process. It begins with the development of cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity. Cultural awareness involves developing understanding that health is expressed differently across cultures, and that culture influences an individual's response to health, illness, disease, and death. Cultural sensitivity is the ability to engage and communicate with an individual from another culture in a manner that demonstrates respect for their cultural norms and beliefs.

Question 8

A nurse is caring for a postpartum patient who adheres to the beliefs of Orthodox Judaism. The question that would be the most culturally sensitive would be:

Accepted Answer

Practicing members of Orthodox Judaism name their male children 8 days after being born, when circumcision is performed. Babies are named by the father. The Orthodox Jewish man cannot touch the woman until after the ritual bath (mikvah). Jewish persons are discouraged from eating shellfish.

Question 9

A nurse caring for an African who is visiting the United States knows the following about transcultural nursing to be true:

Accepted Answer

Research has repeatedly demonstrated that nursing care based on patients' unique cultural and spiritual needs significantly improves patients' outcomes and overall quality of care. This understanding has given a rise to the discipline of transcultural nursing.

Question 10

A young Hindu woman who is part of a traditional Hindu family is in a coma and is going to be transferred to the ICU. The family member whom the nurse should consult about this health matter would be the:

Accepted Answer

Traditional Hindu families consider the eldest woman in the family to be the authority on health and healing matters. She should be consulted and included in any patient education.

Question 11

An example of an ethnocentric remark would be:

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism is the tendency of human beings to think that their way of thinking, believing, and doing things is the only way or the only right way. Beliefs that greatly differ from one's own are seen as strange and are therefore considered wrong.

Question 12

David is a nurse who is caring for a patient who is in the process of gender reassignment. He has strong beliefs against this and discusses with the patient his strong beliefs. This is an example of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own cultural group determines the standards by which other groups' behavior should be judged. Cultural blindness is an inability to recognize the differences between one's own cultural beliefs, values, and practices and those of another culture. Cultural imposition is the act of imposing own cultural beliefs, values, and practices on individuals and groups from another culture. It is different from cultural relativism, which is an ability to recognize that each cultural group has its own set of beliefs and that each culture should be evaluated on its own merit. Nurses often impose their values on patients by forcefully promoting western biomedical traditions while ignoring the patients' value of treatment forms.

Question 13

Although the words spirituality and religion are often used interchangeably, spirituality actually refers to which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Spirituality and religion are similar, but both must be addressed for the patient's psychosocial integrity to improve.

Question 14

A home health nurse caring for a patient of American Indian ancestry will be particularly alert to symptoms of ________ because of a genetic predisposition to that illness.

Accepted Answer

Diabetes is more common among the Hispanic and American Indian populations because of a genetic susceptibility.

Question 15

A nurse caring for a patient who is a practicing Jehovah's Witness and who has had surgery confirms that ___________ is on hand to be infused.

Accepted Answer

Jehovah's Witnesses are not permitted to take blood into their bodies, but blood expanders such as Dextran can be infused.

Question 16

The nurse is aware that cultural influences shape the worldview of all people, which define for each person the concepts of the: (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The "worldview" of an individual shapes his or her value system, defines right and wrong, and helps to explain life's events and mysteries. Significance of employment is not included in a worldview.

Question 17

Laura is a nurse who is not answering the requests of a patient based on the fact that she is scheduled for an abortion. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Prejudice can be defined as an emotional manifestation of negative stereotypes and deeply held beliefs about a group. Racism is a form of prejudice that takes place when individuals, groups, and/or institution exercise power against groups that are judged to be inferior.

Question 18

The nurse takes into consideration that culture and religion influence life choices that include: (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The use of drugs (including caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol), nutritional choices, and food preparation are influenced by culture.

Question 19

A nurse is caring for a prisoner who is hospitalized for injuries received during a terrorist attack at a nightclub in which several people were killed. While the hospital staff's safety is well managed by the police, to remain grounded in providing care to this patient, an important principle for the nurse to remember about transcultural nursing is:

Accepted Answer

Leininger's theory postulates that human caring is a universal aspect of every culture. As such, it is present in all cultures although it may be expressed in culturally unique ways. It provides what every human needs in order to grow, remain well, avoid illness, and survive or face death.

Question 20

A nurse caring for a newborn of Eastern European Jewish ancestry is aware that this patient is predisposed to:

Accepted Answer

People of Eastern European Jewish ancestry may carry the trait for a fatal neurological disorder of infancy called Tay Sachs disease.

Quiz 14: Cultural and Spiritual Aspects of Patient Care