Question 1

The nurse is caring for a 5-year-old child.How can the nurse best support the spiritual development of this client?

Accepted Answer

Listening to the child's routine bedtime prayer respects the child's existing spiritual practices and supports their spiritual development in a way that is age-appropriate and comforting.

Question 2

The client tells the nurse,"I don't know what to do.The treatment plan my physician has suggested is against some of my religious beliefs." What nursing diagnosis problem statement should the nurse identify as appropriate for this client?

Accepted Answer

The client is experiencing a conflict between their religious beliefs and their physician's treatment plan, which can be identified as a decisional conflict. The other options do not accurately reflect the client's situation. "Ineffective Coping" and "Anxiety" could be appropriate in other situations, but they do not address the conflict between the treatment plan and religious beliefs. "Impaired Religiosity" implies a decrease in the client's religious beliefs or practices, which may not necessarily be the case in this situation.

Question 3

After asking general assessment s regarding spirituality,the nurse finds the client content and satisfied.How should the nurse conduct the rest of the assessment?

Accepted Answer

The client's contentment and satisfaction with their spirituality indicates that they are comfortable discussing their beliefs and values. Therefore, no further specific spiritual assessment is currently necessary. If the client had expressed any concerns related to spirituality, specific questions regarding beliefs could have been included in the assessment. However, in this case, it is not necessary to validate spiritual information with the client's family and the assessment can move on to physical assessment.

Question 4

A client who is facing a final surgery to save his life asks the nurse to stay and pray with him until the surgery begins.In which ways should the nurse demonstrate presencing with this client?
(Select all that apply)

Accepted Answer

The answer of A client who is facing a final...

Question 5

The nurse assesses that a client is experiencing spiritual distress.What should be the nurse's primary intervention?

Accepted Answer

The nurse's primary intervention for spiritual distress should be to establish a trusting nurse-client relationship. This will enable the client to feel comfortable sharing their beliefs and concerns, and allow the nurse to provide appropriate spiritual care and interventions. Once a relationship is established, the nurse can then proceed with exploring the client's basic problem, beliefs, and practices.

Question 6

The family of a dying client has informed the nurse that their religion requires that a ritual bath be given by members of the faith after death.Because the hospital unit is very busy and there is an acute need for every bed,how should the nurse respond to this request?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should make arrangements for supplies and privacy for the family to allow them to perform the ritual bath. It is important to respect the family's religious beliefs and customs, even if it takes up hospital resources or time. Additionally, this can provide comfort and closure for the family during a difficult time.

Question 7

The nurse caring for wheelchair-dependent residents of a long-term care environment has developed a care plan that includes taking the clients outside and assisting them in planting and maintaining a garden.What is the best rationale for this plan?

Accepted Answer

Taking clients outside and assisting them in planting and maintaining a garden provides them with an opportunity to connect with nature, which can have spiritual benefits. This can be especially important for individuals living in long-term care environments who may not have regular access to nature.

Question 8

During assessment,the client tells the nurse,"I don't believe that the existence of God has been proven.I don't see the scientific evidence I need to be certain." How should the nurse document this finding?

Accepted Answer

The client's statement indicates a lack of certainty regarding the existence of God, which is consistent with the definition of agnosticism. The other choices do not accurately reflect the client's statement.

Question 9

During assessment,the client says that it has been "a long time" since she has thought very much about religion.The nurse caring for this client has a strong belief in God and the healing power of prayer.What action should be taken by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The best action for the nurse to take is to ask the client if there are any spiritual needs with which the staff can assist. It is important for the nurse to respect the client's beliefs and not impose their own beliefs on the client. By offering assistance with spiritual needs, the nurse is showing support for the client's beliefs and providing an opportunity for the client to explore their own spirituality if they choose to do so. Options A and B are not appropriate as they impose the nurse's beliefs on the client. Option D may be appropriate if the client expresses a desire for spiritual counseling, but it is not necessarily the first action that should be taken.

Question 10

As a part of care planning,the nurse considers the client's spiritual needs.What is the rationale for this concern?

Accepted Answer

Meeting the client's spiritual needs can decrease suffering. Addressing spiritual needs can provide comfort and a sense of meaning, which can positively impact a client's emotional and physical well-being. It is important to provide holistic care that incorporates the spiritual dimensions of a client's life.

Question 11

The nurse has identified that many of the clients in the long-term care facility have spiritual concerns and distress.What is the nurse's first step in becoming a competent provider for these clients?

Accepted Answer

The nurse must first possess a healthy spiritual self-awareness to understand her own beliefs and biases, which is essential before effectively addressing the spiritual needs of others.

Question 12

The client being prepared for a procedure asks to be allowed to wear a religious medal.The client states,"I have worn this medal and have not removed it since I was a teenager." What action should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should address the client's request and acknowledge the importance of the religious medal. The nurse should explain the hospital policy about jewelry and request permission for the client to wear the medal during the procedure. It is important to respect the client's religious beliefs and accommodate their needs whenever possible. Option A is incorrect because the nurse should not be authoritarian and dismissive of the client's request. Option B places responsibility on the client for a potentially risky situation. Option D is inappropriate because the nurse should not touch the client's personal belongings without their permission.

Question 13

The 70-year-old client with terminal lung cancer tells the nurse,"I am dying because I sinned by smoking cigarettes." What is the nurse's best response to this dying client?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should provide comfort and support to the client, and telling them that it is their fault or that it is too late now is not helpful. Option B acknowledges that when the client started smoking, the risks associated with smoking were not known. This can help alleviate the client's feelings of guilt and self-blame.

Question 14

The newly hired nurse notices that coworkers routinely pray with clients and their families.The nurse has never been particularly religious or spiritual and is unaccustomed to praying,but holds no strong feeling against prayer.What is the best strategy for the nurse to plan for such situations?

Accepted Answer

Memorizing a few short prayers will allow the nurse to respectfully participate in prayer situations without feeling uncomfortable or unprepared. It is important for healthcare professionals to respect the spiritual and cultural beliefs of their clients, and being able to participate in this aspect of care can contribute to the trusting relationship between nurse and client. Avoiding clients who may request prayer or relying on coworkers to substitute may not always be possible or practical, and standing silently may be perceived as disrespectful or apathetic.

Question 15

The female client belongs to a religious community that requires women to dress conservatively in clothing that covers the arms and the knees.This client expresses concern that her body will be exposed during a scheduled cardiac catheterization.How should the nurse respond to this concern?

Accepted Answer

Asking the cath lab charge nurse to come to the client's room to talk with her about her concerns is the best choice. This would allow the client to speak with someone who is familiar with the procedure and able to provide reassurance and support while addressing any specific concerns the client may have about modesty or cultural preferences.

Question 16

During labor,it becomes apparent that the male infant will survive only a short time after birth.Because this baby's parents are Catholic,what planning should the nurse consider?

Accepted Answer

As the baby's parents are Catholic, having the hospital chaplain present in the delivery room would be the most appropriate planning. The chaplain would provide spiritual guidance and support to the parents during this difficult time. None of the other options are relevant or necessary in this situation.

Question 17

The emergency department nurse contacts the admissions office to request a bed for a bed-bound client who is a practicing Muslim.In acting as an advocate for the client,what request should the nurse make of the admission clerk?

Accepted Answer

Muslims often pray facing Mecca, which is generally in an easterly direction from many parts of the world. This request respects the client's religious practices.

Question 18

When arriving to a client's room to provide care,the client is praying with family.What action should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should respect the client's and family's privacy during prayer by quietly shutting the door and waiting in the hall until they are invited to enter.

Question 19

The nurse has developed a strong rapport with a client whose medical care necessitates transfusion of multiple units of blood.The client has a religious objection to this treatment even though it is necessary to sustain life.What action should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should encourage discussion between the client, physician, and spiritual adviser to explore alternative therapy options that may be more acceptable to the client's religious beliefs. It is not appropriate for the nurse to use the rapport to influence the client's decision or suggest that they will eventually have to undergo the procedure against their beliefs. Merely explaining the scientific reasons for the transfusion may not be enough to override deeply held religious beliefs. Therefore, the best option is to encourage discussion and exploration of alternative options.

Question 20

A client who is devoutly Jewish is hospitalized during Yom Kippur,a time when many of the Jewish faith fast.The client expresses a desire to follow this religious pattern.How should the nurse respond to this wish?

Accepted Answer

It is important to respect the client's religious beliefs and desires to the extent possible while also ensuring that their health and safety are not compromised. The nurse can work with the client and healthcare team to develop a plan for safe fasting or alternative ways to observe the holiday if necessary.

Quiz 41: Spirituality