A patient arrives to the clinic 2 hours late for her prenatal appointment. This is the third time she has been late. What is the nurse's best action in response to this patient's tardiness?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Time orientation is viewed differently by other cultures. Native Americans, Middle Easterners, Hispanics, and American Eskimos tend to emphasize the moment rather than the future. This causes conflicts in the health care setting, in which tests or appointments are scheduled at particular times. If a woman does not place the same importance on keeping appointments, she may encounter anger and frustration in the health care setting. Asking if she has a way to tell time does not get to the potential root of the problem. Asking if she is deliberately late is inconsiderate and nontherapeutic. Although her action may be an acting-out behavior, there are other considerations that must be considered first.

A Patient Arrives to the Clinic 2 Hours Late for Her