Chapter 5: Cultural Diversity
A nurse who usually works on the surgical unit is asked to float to the oncology unit because of staffing needs. Which statement by the nurse indicates the possibility of the nurse experiencing culture shock? "I am very stressed now because I do not understand how things work on this unit." "Can someone please give me an orientation to this unit?" "The way we do things on the surgical unit are so much better than the procedures of this unit." "I was expecting all the clients on the oncology unit to be depressed."
"I am very stressed now because I do not understand how things work on this unit." Explanation: The nurse is experiencing culture shock because of the new environment. When the culture one has learned differs from the culture in one's environment, a person can become disoriented and stressed. The acute experience of not comprehending the culture of the current environment is called culture shock. Asking for an orientation to a new unit is proper procedure for a float nurse. The third statement indicates ethnocentrism, not culture shock. The fourth statement indicates stereotyping.
Which behavior by the nurse demonstrates cultural blindness? Administering antibiotics to a child whose parents do not believe in Western medicine Convincing a client that Western medicine is more effective than alternative therapy Explaining to the client that using acupuncture to treat labor pain is ridiculous Administering pain medication when a client shows nonverbal indicators of pain
Administering antibiotics to a child whose parents do not believe in Western medicine Explanation: Cultural blindness occurs when one ignores differences and proceeds as though they do no exist. Administering antibiotics to a child when the parents do not believe in Western medicine is an example of cultural blindness. Convincing a client that Western medicine is most effective is cultural imposition. Dismissing acupuncture as ridiculous is inappropriate and an example of cultural conflict. Administering pain medication when a client shows nonverbal pain indicators is not an example of cultural blindness.
Upon moving to another country, a college student is very confused by many local customs. He is especially bothered by the custom of men and women eating in separate areas and it makes him angry and resentful of the new culture. What are the feelings experienced by this student? Culture shock Stereotyping Ethnocentrism Cultural assimilation
Culture shock Explanation: The student is experiencing culture shock, which is defined as the feelings a person experiences when placed in a different culture. Stereotyping is the assumption that all members of a culture, subculture, or ethnic group act alike. Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's ideas, beliefs, and practices are the best, are superior, or are most preferred to those of others. Cultural assimilation occurs when members of a minority group live within a dominant group and lose the cultural characteristics that make them different.
The nurse overhears a colleague state, "All people from that client's country are rude." What is the appropriate nursing response? Say nothing and ignore the comment. Agree and state, "Yes, I've noticed the same thing." Report the colleague to the nurse manager. Respond by saying, "Stereotypes keep us from accepting others as unique individuals."
Respond by saying, "Stereotypes keep us from accepting others as unique individuals." Explanation: Stereotypes are preconceived ideas usually unsupported by facts. They tend to be neither real nor accurate. They can be dangerous because they interfere with accepting others as unique individuals. The nurse can professionally educate the colleague about the harm involved in stereotyping individuals. Ignoring the comment or reporting the colleague to the nurse manager would result in a missed opportunity to educate the colleague on stereotyping. Agreeing would only strengthen this harmful practice.
