Cultural Diversity

acculturation

"It is a process of learning a different culture to adapt to a new or changing environment."

A nursing student is asked to identify the practices and beliefs of the Amish society. Select all that apply.

- Many choose not to have health insurance. - They believe that health is a gift from God. - They use both traditional and alternative health care, such as healers, herbs, and massage. - Funerals are conducted in the home without a eulogy, flower decorations, or any other display. Caskets are plain and simple, without adornment.

ethnocentrism

is judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one's own culture

A nursing instructor is providing a session on cultural beliefs related to health and illness. Following the session, the instructor asks a nursing student to describe the beliefs of an African-American client with regard to illness. Which statement describes the beliefs of an African-American client with regard to illness?

Answer: "Illness is a disharmonious state that may be caused by demons and spirits." Rationale: In the African-American culture, illness is viewed as a disharmonious state that may be caused by demons and spirits.

A nurse is caring for an African-American client. The nurse enters the room and, following a greeting and introduction to the client, begins to describe the procedure for a prescribed soapsuds enema. The client turns away from the nurse. Which nursing action is appropriate?

Answer: Continue with the explanation. Rationale: In the African-American culture, direct eye contact may be viewed as being rude. If the client turns away from the nurse during a conversation, the best action is to continue with the conversation. Walking around to the client so that the nurse faces the client is in direct conflict with the cultural practice. Leaving the room and returning later to continue with the explanation may be viewed as a rude gesture by the client

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?

Answer: Continue with the discussion. Rationale: In 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

A nursing student is discussing cultural issues in a clinical conference. The nursing instructor asks the student to describe ethnocentrism. Which of the following, if stated by the student, indicates a lack of understanding of the issue of ethnocentrism?

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

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?

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

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?

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

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:

Answer: Views food as a primary form of socialization Rationale: Because food is a primary form of socialization in the Mexican culture, Hispanic Americans may have difficulty adhering to a prescribed diet.

A nurse educator is providing an inservice education to the nursing staff regarding transcultural nursing care. A staff member asks the nurse educator to describe the concept of acculturation. The appropriate response is which of the following?

Answer: "It is a process of learning a different culture to adapt to a new or changing environment." Rationale: Acculturation is a process of learning a different culture to adapt to a new or changing environment.

A nurse is assisting with collecting data from an African-American client admitted to the ambulatory care unit who is scheduled for a hernia repair. Which of the following information about the client is of least priority during the data collection?

Answer: Psychosocial Rationale: The psychosocial data is the least priority during the initial admission data collection. In the African-American culture, it is considered intrusive to ask personal questions during the initial contact or meeting.

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?

Answer: Asking the client to unwrap the utensils and allowing the client to prepare the meal for eating Rationale: 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.

A nurse checks the food on a tray delivered for an Orthodox Jewish client and notes that the client has received a roast beef dinner with whole milk as a beverage. Which action should the nurse take?

Answer: Call the dietary department and ask for a different meal. Rationale: In the Orthodox Jewish tradition, members avoid meat from carnivores, pork products, and certain fish. The nurse would not deliver the food tray to the client and would ask the dietary department to deliver a different meal.

A nurse caring for a Chinese-American client plans care considering the client's view of illness. Which appropriately describes the Chinese American's view of illness?

Answer: Illness is due to an imbalance between yin and yang. Rationale: Chinese-Americans believe that illness is caused by an imbalance between yin and yang and prolonged sitting or lying, or to overexertion

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:

Answer: Indicative that the client is paying close attention Rationale: Native-American clients often stare at the floor when a nurse is talking. This culturally appropriate behavior indicates that the listener is paying close attention to the speaker.

A nurse is providing care to a Cuban-American client who is terminally ill. Numerous family members are present most of the time, and many of the family members are very emotional. The most appropriate nursing plan is to:

Answer: Request permission to move the client to a private room, and allow the family members to visit. Rationale: In the Cuban culture, loud crying and other physical manifestations of grief are considered socially acceptable.

A nurse is assigned to care for an Asian-American client. The nurse plans care, knowing that which of the following describes the Asian-American's view of illness?

Answer: Illness is caused by an imbalance between yin and yang. Rationale: Asian-Americans believe that illness is caused by an imbalance between yin and yang, by prolonged sitting or lying, or by overexertion.

A nurse is caring for a group of clients who are taking herbal medications at home. Which of the following clients should be instructed not to take herbal medications?

Answer: A 10-year-old female client with a urinary tract infection Rationale: Children should not be given herbal therapies, especially in the home and without professional supervision

What is the reason that a nurse, focusing on facilitating positive outcomes regarding health care services, becomes familiar with the cultural beliefs and practices of a childbearing woman?

Answer: A culturally diverse woman may have beliefs that impact the delivery of health care services. Rationale: The nurse providing care for women in their childbearing years must be familiar with the cultural framework within which the client lives and operates.

A nurse educator is describing the yin and yang theory of the ancient Chinese philosophy of Tao to a group of nursing students. The nurse educator explains that foods are classified as hot and cold in this theory and are transformed into yin and yang energy when metabolized by the body. The nursing student understands this theory when the student verbalizes that a client who practices this belief:

Answer: Consumes cold foods when a "hot" illness is present Rationale: 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 planning to reinforce nutrition instructions to an African-American client. When developing the plan, the nurse is aware that a common dietary practice of clients with African-American heritage is to eat:

Answer: Fried foods Rationale: African-American food preferences include chicken, pork, greens, rice, and fried foods.

A client is seen in the clinic for a physical examination. Laboratory studies are performed and reveal that the hemoglobin and hematocrit are low, indicating the need for further diagnostic studies and a blood transfusion. The client is a Jehovah's Witness and refuses to have a blood transfusion. The clinic nurse should appropriately:

Answer: Support the client's decision not to receive a blood transfusion. Rationale: Cultural and ethnic background influences an individual's response to health, illness, surgery, and death.

A nurse is assisting in preparing a plan of care for a client who is a Jehovah's Witness. The client has been told that surgery is necessary. Considering the client's religious preferences, the nurse documents that:

Answer: The administration of blood and blood products is forbidden. Rationale: In the Jehovah's Witness religion, surgery is not opposed, but the administration of blood and blood products is forbidden.

A nurse consults with a dietitian regarding the dietary preferences of an Asian-American client. Which of the following foods would the nurse likely include in the diet plan?

Answer: Rice Rationale: sian-American food preferences include raw fish, rice, and soy sauce.

The client asks the student nurse about various herbal therapies available for the treatment of insomnia. The student should provide information about which of the following?

Answer: Valerian Rationale: Valerian has been used to treat insomnia, hyperactivity, and stress

A nurse is preparing a session regarding nutrition for a group of culturally diverse pregnant women. The nurse determines that the priority nursing intervention includes which of the following?

Answer: Identify cultural food preferences of each client. Rationale: The priority nursing intervention is to identify the cultural food preferences of each client. This information is needed in order to adequately provide information regarding appropriate nutrition

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?

Answer: Call the dietary department and ask for a new meal tray. Rationale: In the Jewish religion, the dairy-meat combination is not acceptable. Pork and pork products are not allowed in the traditional Jewish religion.

A nurse is reinforcing discharge instructions to a Chinese client regarding prescribed dietary modifications. During the teaching session the client continually turns away from the nurse. Which of the following nursing actions is most appropriate?

Answer: Continue with the instructions, verifying client understanding. Rationale: Most Chinese people maintain a formal distance with each other, which is a form of respect. Many Chinese are uncomfortable with face-to-face communication, especially when direct eye contact is involved. If the client turns away from the nurse during a conversation, the best action is to continue with the conversation.

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:

Answer: Greet the client with a handshake. Rationale: To demonstrate respect, compassion, and understanding, health care providers should greet Hispanic-American clients with a handshake.

An antihypertensive medication has been prescribed for a client with hypertension. The client tells the nurse that she would like to take an herbal substance to help lower her blood pressure. The nurse should:

Answer: Advise the client to discuss the use of an herbal substance with the health care provider (HCP). Rationale: Although herbal substances may have some beneficial effects, not all herbs are safe to use.

A Hispanic-American mother brings her child to the clinic for an examination. Which of the following is most important when gathering data about the child?

Answer: Touching the child during the examination Rationale: In the Hispanic-American culture, eye behavior is significant. It is believed that the "bad/evil eye" can be given to a child if a person looks at and admires a child without touching the child