FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS: Cultural Diversity

A nursing student is discussing cultural diversity issues in a clinical conference. The nursing instructor asks a student to describe ethnocentrism. Which statement indicates a lack of understanding of the issue of ethnocentrism?

"It is imposing one's beliefs on individuals from another culture."

A client is diagnosed with cancer and is told that surgery followed by chemotherapy will be necessary. The client states to the nurse, "I have read a lot about complementary therapies. Do you think that I should try any?" The nurse responds by making which appropriate statement?

"There are many different forms of complementary therapies. Let's talk about these therapies."

A nurse is preparing to assist a Jewish client with eating lunch. A kosher meal is delivered to the client. Which nursing action is appropriate when assisting the client with the meal?

Asking the client to unwrap the utensils and allowing the client to prepare the meal for eating

A nurse is assigned to care for a client who is Chinese. The nurse enters the room and following a greeting and introduction to the client, the nurse begins to discuss the plan of care for the day. During the discussion, the client turns away from the nurse. The nurse should take which action?

Continue with the discussion. n the Chinese (Asian) culture, direct eye contact is often viewed as being rude. If the client turns away from the nurse during a conversation, the best action is to continue with the conversation

Ethnocentrism

Ethnocentrism is a tendency to view one's own ways of life as the most desirable, acceptable, or best, and to act in a superior manner toward another culture. Cultural imposition is the tendency to impose one's own beliefs, values, and patterns of behavior on individuals from another culture.

the nurse is aware that a common dietary practice of clients with African-American heritage is to eat:

FRIED FOODS

A nurse is assigned to collect data from a Hispanic-American client during the hospital admission. On initial meeting of the client, the nurse should plan to:

Greet the client with a handshake. To demonstrate respect, compassion, and understanding, health care providers should greet Hispanic-American clients with a handshake. However, handshakes that are too firm or vigorous are considered to be rude or intrusive.

A nurse is preparing to deliver a food tray to a client whose religion is Judaism. The nurse checks the food on the tray and notes that the client has received a roast beef dinner with whole milk as a beverage. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

In the Jewish religion, the dairy-meat combination is not acceptable. Pork and pork products are not allowed in the traditional Jewish religion. The only correct nursing action is to ask the dietary department to deliver a new meal tray.

Orthodox Jewish

In the Orthodox Jewish tradition, members avoid meat from carnivores, pork products, and certain fish.

Yin and yang Theory

In the yin and yang theory, health is believed to exist when all aspects of the person are in perfect balance. Foods are classified as hot or cold and are transformed into yin and yang energy when metabolized by the body. Yin foods are cold, and yang foods are hot. Cold foods are eaten when one has a hot illness and hot foods are eaten when one has a cold illness.

A nurse is instructing a Native-American client regarding the procedure for collecting a urine sample. The nurse observes that the client continually stares at the floor during the instructional session. The nurse interprets this behavior as:

Indicative that the client is paying close attention

What is KOSHER MEALS

Kosher meals arrive on paper plates and with plastic utensils sealed. Health care providers should not unwrap the utensils or transfer the food to another serving dish. Although the nurse may want to be helpful by assisting the client with the meal.

A nurse is planning to instruct the Hispanic-American client about nutrition and dietary restrictions. When developing the plan for the instructions, the nurse is aware that this ethnic group:

Views food as a primary form of socialization Mexican foods are rich in color, flavor, texture, and spiciness. In the Mexican culture, any occasion is seen as a time to celebrate with food and enjoy the companionship of family and friends. Because food is a primary form of socialization in the Mexican culture, Hispanic Americans may have difficulty adhering to a prescribed diet

Asian American Client belief regarding illness

illness is caused by an imbalance between yin and yang, by prolonged sitting or lying, or by overexertion

African-American client belief regarding illness

illness is viewed as a disharmonious state that may be caused by demons and spirits. The goal of treatment, from the traditional African perspective, is to remove the harmful spirit from the body of the ill person.

Herbal therapy to treat insomnia

VALERIAN: This has been used to treat insomnia, hyperactivity, and stress. It has also been used to treat nervous disorders such as anxiety and restlessness.