Prep U: Chapter 4

A nurse is conducting an ethnographic interview with a client. Which question would be most appropriate for the nurse to use to begin the interview?

"How have you been feeling since I saw you yesterday?"

An English-speaking Hispanic male has undergone resection of the colon. The nurse observes that the client is restless and is unable to sleep. What should be the nurse's initial statement to the client?

"Tell me what you are feeling."

An Asian American client is admitted to the health care facility with hypoglycemia. After the client is stable, the nurse discovers that the client has not had his prescribed medicines. The client believes that eating saffron will keep his blood sugar under control. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?

"Why don't you take the medicines, too, and benefit from both?"

You are a community health nurse who provides care to a group of Hispanic people living in an area that is heavily populated by white people. What are the Hispanic people in this community an example of?

A minority

A male nurse is preparing to take the vital signs of a female patient. Which ethnic group would consider this improper?

Arab Muslim

The nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient whose family has requested to hold a spiritual ceremony, during which they will be using incense. What would be the best intervention you could make on behalf of this patient?

Arrange for the ceremony to occur after obtaining permission from administration.

A 12-year-old African American boy has experienced significant blood loss and may require a blood transfusion. The boy's mother, father, and sisters are currently present at his bedside in the emergency department. How should the nurse direct questions and teaching about his condition and treatment?

Assess who is the dominant member of the family and then address that person.

An Asian American male client is operated on for gallstones. On the postoperative night, the nurse finds that the client is not sleeping and is tossing and turning. When asked about analgesics, the client expresses that he does not have pain. What nursing action is most appropriate?

Assessing for non-verbal expressions of pain

A nurse who provides care in a large, inner-city hospital is aware of the large influence of culture on health. The nurse recognizes that culture is best understood as a shared system that encompasses which of the following?

Beliefs, values, and behavioral expectations

A nurse engages in professional rituals as a means to standardize practice and ensure efficiency. In doing so, the nurse integrates understanding of which of the following as a characteristic?

Common and observable expressions of culture

A nurse, on examination of an African-American newborn baby, finds a macular, blue-black area of pigmentation near the buttocks. Which action the nurse would be most appropriate?

Consider it as normal assessment finding

Despite the presence of a large number of elderly residents of Asian heritage, a long-term care facility has not integrated the Asian concepts of hot and cold into meal planning. Which of the following should the nurses at the facility recognize this as an example of?

Cultural blindness

A client from Pakistan informs the nurse of his cultural dietary requests. The nurse responds to the special dietary needs by stating, "You are now living in the United States, and you should try to start eating those foods common to an American diet." This inappropriate response is an example of what?

Cultural imposition

A nurse is providing care for a Cambodian client. The nurse says, "You have to get up and walk whether you want to or not." What is this statement an example of?

Cultural imposition

The children of an elderly male client who has suffered an ischemic stroke have informed the nurse that an herbalist will be coming to their father's bedside tomorrow to make recommendations for his care. Which of the following considerations should the nurse prioritize in light of the practitioner's planned visit?

Ensure any complementary therapies are safe when combined with his prescribed treatments.

A nurse is working with a group of culturally diverse clients. Which of the following would the nurse identify as a benefit resulting from this diversity?

Equal opportunity exists for various cultural perspectives

After teaching a class of nursing students about culture and ethnicity, the instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the class identifies which of the following as the same as ethnicity?

Ethnic identity

A client who has difficulty sleeping expresses to the nurse that watching television may help him relax and get sleep. The nurse disregards the client's concern and suggests drinking warm milk before going to bed. Which cultural characteristic is the nurse demonstrating?

Ethnocentrism

A nurse is caring for an Asian American client immediately postpartum. As the client seems exhausted after delivery, the nurse offers her warm milk to drink. The client refuses, saying that her cultural belief does not permit her to have any food before 24 hours have passed. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?

Explain the importance of the mother's nutritional status for lactation.

A nurse is caring for a post-operative Asian American client after knee arthroplasty. The nurse plans to help the client ambulate, but is aware that the client may feel threatened due to physical closeness. What would be the most appropriate nursing action?

Explain the purpose and need for assistance during ambulation.

How is culture learned by each new generation?

Formal and informal experiences

Personal space and distance is a cultural perspective that can impact nurse-client interactions. What is the best way for the nurse to interact physically with a client who has a different cultural perspective on space and distance?

Know the client's cultural personal space preferences.

What is one way in which nurses can develop cultural self-awareness?

Objectively examine own beliefs, values, and practices.

Which of the following statements best conveys the relationship between race and ethnicity?

Race denotes physical characteristics while ethnicity is rooted in a common heritage.

A group of nursing students are reviewing information about culture and its links to a wide variety of unique behaviors and events. The group demonstrates understanding of this concept when they identify which of the following as a culturally linked behavior to autopsy for Western nurses?

The cause of death can be discovered

In addressing health promotion for a client who is a member of another culture, the nurse should be guided by which of the following principles?

The client may have a very different understanding of health promotion.

An older adult woman of Chinese ancestry refuses to eat at the nursing home, stating, "I'm just not hungry." What factors should the staff assess for this problem?

The food served may not be culturally appropriate.

A client reports to the primary health care facility for routine physical examination after cardiac rehabilitation following myocardial infarction. Keeping in mind that the client is a Latino, how should the nurse conduct the interview?

The nurse should avoid using medical terminology.

A non-English-speaking client has been admitted to the health care facility with complaints of chest pain. Since the assigned nurse does not know the client's language, what would be the most appropriate solution in this case?

The nurse should request the help of a professional interpreter.

Which of the following is a cultural norm of the healthcare system?

There is the use of a systematic approach and problem-solving methodology.

A 40-year-old nurse is taking a health history from a Hispanic man aged 20 years. The nurse notes that he looks down at the floor when he answers questions. What should the nurse understand about this behavior?

This is culturally appropriate behavior.

An elderly Cantonese-speaking client has been admitted to the emergency department after suffering a fall and suspected hip fracture in her home. Emergency medical services personnel have reported to the nurse that the client speaks no English. Who is the best person to perform translation services to the client?

a hospital translator

A nurse has traveled to a different country and started working there. Which of the following would the nurse most likely experience initially?

culture shock

Upon moving to China, an American college student is experiencing many new feelings that she associates with her placement in a different culture. What are the feelings experienced by this student?

culture shock