Question 1

In the majority culture of America,coughing,sweating,and diarrhea are symptoms of an illness.For some individuals of Mexican-American origin,however,these symptoms are a normal part of living.The nurse recognizes that this is true,probably because Mexican-Americans :

Accepted Answer

The nurse needs to identify the meaning of health to the patient,remembering that concepts are derived,in part,from the way in which members of the cultural group define health.

Question 2

An Asian-American woman is experiencing diarrhea,which is felt to be "cold" or "yin." The nurse expects that the woman is likely to try to treat it with:

Accepted Answer

Yin foods are cold and yang foods are hot.Cold foods are eaten with a hot illness,and hot foods are eaten with a cold illness.The other explanations do not reflect yin/yang theory.

Question 3

If an American Indian has come to the clinic to seek help with regulating her diabetes,the nurse can expect that she:

Accepted Answer

When self-treatment is unsuccessful,the individual may turn to the lay or folk healing systems,to spiritual or religious healing,or to scientific biomedicine.In addition to seeking help from a biomedical or scientific health care provider,patients may also seek help from folk or religious healers.

Question 4

A physician in the clinic is frequently bothered when patients arrive late for appointments.The physician is so irritated by this behavior that he often finds it hard to provide appropriate care to these individuals.What should he do first in trying to overcome this difficulty?

Accepted Answer

The first step in understanding the health care needs of others is to understand one's own culturally based values,beliefs,attitudes,and practices.The other answers are not the first step.

Question 5

The nurse is reviewing the development of culture.Which statement is correct regarding the development of one's culture? Culture is:

Accepted Answer

Culture is learned from birth through language acquisition and socialization.It is not biologically or genetically determined,and it is learned by the individual.

Question 6

The nurse is comparing the concepts of religion and spirituality.Which of the following is an appropriate component of one's spirituality?

Accepted Answer

Spirituality refers to each person's unique life experience and his or her personal effort to find purpose and meaning in life.The other responses apply to religion.

Question 7

Among many Asians there is a belief in the yin/yang theory,rooted in the ancient Chinese philosophy of Tao.The nurse recognizes which statement that most accurately reflects "health" in an Asian with this belief?

Accepted Answer

Many Asians believe in the yin/yang theory,in which health is believed to exist when all aspects of the person are in perfect balance.The other statements do not describe this theory.

Question 8

A woman who has lived in the United States for a year after moving from Europe has learned to speak English and is almost finished with her college degree.She now dresses like her peers and says that her family in Europe would hardly recognize her.This nurse recognizes that this situation illustrates which concept?

Accepted Answer

Assimilation is the process by which a person develops a new cultural identity and becomes like members of the dominant culture.This concept does not reflect heritage consistency.Biculturalism is a dual pattern of identification;acculturation is the process of adapting to and acquiring another culture.

Question 9

The nurse manager is explaining culturally competent care during a staff meeting.Which statement accurately describes the concept of culturally competent care? "The caregiver:

Accepted Answer

Culturally competent implies that the caregiver understands and attends to the total context of the individual's situation.This includes awareness of immigration status,stress factors,other social factors,and cultural similarities and differences.It does not require the caregiver to speak the patient's native language.

Question 10

When discussing the use of the term "subculture," the nurse recognizes that it is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Within cultures,groups of people share different beliefs,values,and attitudes.Differences occur because of ethnicity,religion,education,occupation,age,and gender.When such groups function within a large culture,they are referred to as subcultural groups.

Question 11

During a class on the aspects of culture,the nurse shares that culture has four basic characteristics.Which statement correctly reflects one of these characteristics?

Accepted Answer

Culture has four basic characteristics.Culture adapts to specific conditions related to environmental and technical factors and to the availability of natural resources,and it is dynamic and ever-changing.Culture is learned from birth through the process of language acquisition and socialization,but it is not most clearly reflected in one's language and behavior.

Question 12

During a seminar on cultural aspects of nursing,the nurse recognizes that the definition stating "the specific and distinct knowledge,beliefs,skills,and customs acquired by members of a society" reflects which term?

Accepted Answer

The culture that develops in any given society is always specific and distinctive,encompassing all of the knowledge,beliefs,customs,and skills acquired by members of the society.The other terms do not fit the given definition.

Question 13

The nurse is reviewing theories of illness.The germ theory,which states that microscopic organisms such as bacteria and viruses are responsible for specific disease conditions,is a basic belief of which theory of illness?

Accepted Answer

Among the biomedical explanations for disease is the germ theory,which states that microscopic organisms such as bacteria and viruses are responsible for specific disease conditions.The naturalistic,or holistic,perspective holds that the forces of nature must be kept in natural balance.The magicoreligious perspective holds that supernatural forces dominate and cause illness or health.

Question 14

When reviewing the demographics of ethnic groups in the United States,the nurse recalls that the largest and fasting growing population is:

Accepted Answer

Hispanics are the largest and fastest growing population in the United States,followed by Asians,blacks,American Indians and Alaska natives,and other groups.

Question 15

An individual who takes the magicoreligious perspective of illness and disease is likely to believe that his or her illness was caused by:

Accepted Answer

The basic premise of the magicoreligious perspective is that the world is seen as an arena in which supernatural forces dominate.The fate of the world and those in it depends on the actions of supernatural forces for good or evil.The other answers do not reflect the magicoreligious perspective.

Question 16

During an assessment,the nurse notices that a patient is handling a small charm that is tied to a leather strip around his neck.Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should inquire about the amulet's meaning.Amulets,such as charms,are often seen as an important means of protection from "evil spirits" by some cultures.

Question 17

The nurse is conducting a heritage assessment.Which question is most appropriate for this assessment?

Accepted Answer

Ask questions about participation in the religious traditions of family in order to assess a person's heritage.Simply asking about one's religion,smoking history,or health history does not reflect heritage.

Question 18

The nurse recognizes that an example of a person who is heritage consistent would be a:

Accepted Answer

Someone who is heritage consistent lives a lifestyle that reflects his or her traditional heritage,not the norms and customs of the new country.

Question 19

After a class on culture and ethnicity,the new graduate nurse reflects a correct understanding of the concept of ethnicity with which statement?

Accepted Answer

Ethnicity pertains to a social group within the social system that claims to have variable traits,such as a common geographic origin,migratory status,religion,race,language,values,traditions,symbols,or food preferences."Culture" is dynamic,ever-changing,and learned from birth through the processes of language acquisition and socialization;"religion" is the belief in a higher power.

Question 20

Illness is seen as a part of life's rhythmic course and as an outward sign of disharmony within.This statement most accurately reflects the views about illness from the _____ theory.

Accepted Answer

The naturalistic perspective states that the laws of nature create imbalances,chaos,and disease.From the perspective of the Chinese,for example,illness is not seen as an introducing agent,but as a part of life's rhythmic course and as an outward sign of disharmony within.The other options are not correct.

Quiz 2: Cultural Competence: Cultural Care