NU270 Week 10 PrepU: Diversity (Chapter 5)
The nurse is caring for a client admitted with an upper respiratory infection. The client tells the nurse about following the holistic belief of hot/cold. Which food items should the nurse provide to the client based on this information? Soup, hot tea, and toast Turkey sandwich, milk, and gelatin Chicken salad, water, and a frozen fruit juice bar Fruit salad, apple juice, and pudding
Soup, hot tea, and toast The client believes in the hot/cold theory of disease, so the client needs to treat cold diseases with hot food and hot diseases with cold food. The most appropriate choice would be the soup, hot tea, and toast. The other options are all cold foods, which the client would not use to treat a cold disease such as an upper respiratory infection.
A nurse is conducting an ethnographic interview with a client. Which step would the nurse do first? Ask an open-ended, general question Request clarification of a key term Identify clues to what may be important Document the client's view of self
Ask an open-ended, general question An ethnographic interview begins with an open-ended, general question. Then, based on the client's response, the nurse selects some key terms and asks for clarification, repeating the exact words and phrases that the client used. The terms are clues to what is important to the client, so the nurse asks the client to talk more about them. Finally, the nurse documents the information on the client's view of self or of the issue discussed.
A nurse is working in a clinic that serves a community with a high population of immigrants. Which nursing assessment is the priority? Language assessment Blood sugar assessment Spiritual assessment Blood pressure assessment
Language assessment Although all of the assessments are appropriate, the priority assessment is communication. If clients do not speak the dominant language, it may be necessary to obtain an interpreter to provide culturally appropriate care.
A client refuses to allow any healthcare worker of Asian descent to provide care. This client is demonstrating what practice? Ethnocentrism Racism Stereotyping Ethnic identification
Racism Racism usually involves negative thoughts or actions against another individual based on skin color or ethnicity. Stereotyping is applying a generalization to all members of a group and does not always involve negative thoughts against others. Ethnocentrism and ethnic identification are beliefs one has about one's own culture and are not necessarily negative or directed toward others.
A nurse is working with a culturally diverse group of clients. The nurse understands that cultural norms: allow nurses to predict a client's response. can be generalized to anyone of that culture. are fairly consistent across cultural groups. require an individualized approach by the nurse.
require an individualized approach by the nurse. Knowing a cultural norm does not enable one to predict a person's response. Generalizing about cultural norms in contemporary societies is inappropriate because people belong to more than one subcultural group and are influenced uniquely by multiple and diverse groups. Exceptions to cultural norms always exist. Therefore the nurse needs to approach each person as an individual.
The nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative 24 hours from an appendectomy. The client is hesitant to get out of bed. How should the nurse respond? "You need to get up and walk to prevent complications." "Can you describe what you are feeling when you try to move?" "I will come back later and help you get up." "Would like to wait until your family arrives to get out of bed?"
"Can you describe what you are feeling when you try to move?" The client who is hesitant to move and get out of bed may be expecting pain. Some clients, however, my control their emotions and expressions of physical discomfort in front of strangers. Telling the client to get up and walk to prevent complications is important, but the nurse needs to assess why the client is hesitating to get up. Leaving the client or waiting for the family does not address the reason why the client is hesitant to get up.
The nurse has just attended a seminar on concepts of cultural diversity. Which statement made by the nurse would require further education? "Culture helps to define identity within specific groups of people." "Culture cannot be influenced, and you are born with your culture." "Language is the primary way that people share their culture." "Culture can be seen in attitudes and institutions of certain populations."
"Culture cannot be influenced, and you are born with your culture." Culture is learned through life experiences from one generation to the next. Culture helping to define identity, language being the primary way that people share their culture, and culture being seen in attitudes of certain populations are correct options; these are all components that define culture.
The staff nurse overhears the charge nurse, who is of Italian heritage, talking to the unlicensed assistive personnel. Which statement made by the charge nurse is an example of ethnocentrism? "People who are Irish are usually alcoholics." "Asian people are bad drivers." "Italians are best at everything." "Hispanics are usually lazy."
"Italians are best at everything." Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's cultural is better than other cultures. Therefore, the statement "Italians are the best at everything" demonstrates ethnocentrism. The other options are examples of stereotyping. Stereotyping is a fixed attitude about people who share common characteristics.
What is the priority assessment for the nurse when developing a plan of care for a client from a poverty culture? Access to care Access to health insurance Access to affordable housing Access to financial assistance
Access to care Poverty has long been a barrier to adequate health care. If clients cannot access health care, it does not matter if they have affordable housing, health insurance, or the need for financial assistance. It is not possible to create a plan of care with client involvement without adequate support and access to care.
A new resident in a long-term care facility who was having difficulty adapting to the routine has begun participating in activities on a daily basis. Which stage of culture shock is this resident displaying? Honeymoon Disenchantment Beginning resolution Effective functioning
Beginning resolution The resident having difficulty adapting to the long-term care environment is experiencing culture shock but has progressed to the stage of beginning resolution of being a part of the new environment. In the honeymoon phase, the client idealizes the new culture and is highly positive about it. In the disenchantment phase, the client recognizes and is frustrated by the differences between the old and new cultures. In the effective functioning phase, the client can participate fully and comfortably in the new culture.
A staff nurse meets with the charge nurse and is reporting that all the new nurses are leaving messes on the unit. The staff nurse states, "These youngsters think they can waltz in here and get our jobs." What is this nurse demonstrating? Cultural conflict Cultural assimilation Cultural blindness Cultural diversity
Cultural conflict Cultural conflict occurs when people become aware of cultural differences (the younger nurses) and feel threatened (most likely by their younger age) and respond by ridiculing the beliefs or actions of others to make themselves feel more secure. Cultural assimilation occurs when one adapts to a new culture. Cultural blindness occurs when one ignores a cultural difference. Cultural diversity encompasses culture, race, ethnicity, religion, language, gender, socioeconomic status, and more.
A nurse is reading a journal article about culturally competent nursing care. The article begins discussing culture and its unique characteristics. Which characteristics would the nurse expect to be identified? Select all that apply. Culture is innate. Culture may evolve over time. Culture makes sense to its members. Culture is shared through communication. Culture puts a limit on ideas.
Culture may evolve over time. Culture makes sense to its members. Culture is shared through communication. Culture is learned from other people, not innate; it is learned over a period of time and shared by people who communicate with each other over time. Cultural practices and beliefs may evolve over time, but they mainly remain constant as long as they satisfy a group's needs. Culture is diverse; it increases ideas and opinions.
The nurse is preparing a client who is Jehovah's Witness for surgery. The client states, "Please make sure I do not receive a blood transfusion." What policy should the nurse follow to best address the client's concern and needs? Implement standard protocol for patient-centered care to avoid inadvertent transfusion Address client culture needs while providing information and provisions for blood loss and hypovolemic shock. Speak with the provider to create an appropriate plan regarding infusion of blood. Develop a plan of care with the client that addresses cultural practices regarding transfusions.
Develop a plan of care with the client that addresses cultural practices regarding transfusions. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that blood is the source of a person's soul and cannot accept a transfusion since that blood has left someone's body. There are alternatives to blood transfusions that can be provided to the client. The policy that addresses the client's needs and cultural practices is found in The Essential Guide to Nursing Practice: Applying ANA's Scope and Standards in Practice and Education (White & O'Sullivan, 2012) which states "The registered nurse develops in partnership with the person, family and others an individualized plan considering the person's characteristics or situation, including but not limited to, values, beliefs, spiritual and health practices...:". Therefore, the provider, while integral to care, should also provide culturally competent care, and both nurse and provider should do this even in life-or-death situations.
When describing the concept of ethnicity, which statement would be most appropriate to use? Ethnicity is an alternative term that implies the same ideas as culture. Ethnicity allows people to define themselves and others to define them. Culture involves self-consciousness while ethnicity does not. Ethnicity is a present-oriented form of identity.
Ethnicity allows people to define themselves and others to define them. Ethnicity is a cluster of ways for people to define themselves and be defined by others. It involves the selection of certain shared cultural characteristics, such as symbols of a common group origin, history, or descent. Ethnicity is not culture. Ethnic identity is distinguished from culture in that ethnic identity is self-conscious about select symbolic elements that are taken as the emblem of group social identity. Ethnicity or ethnic identity refers to a self-conscious, past-oriented form of identity based on a notion of shared cultural (and perhaps ancestral) heritage, as well as current position within the larger society.
A nurse is working with an interpreter to communicate with a client who speaks very little of the nurse's language. Which actions would be appropriate for the nurse to take? Select all that apply. Speak to the client rather than the interpreter. Talk quickly to ensure that the full message is sent. Use simple sentences to convey the verbal message. Use metaphors when asking questions to further understanding. Rephrase a question using different words if the answer is inappropriate.
Speak to the client rather than the interpreter. Use simple sentences to convey the verbal message. Rephrase a question using different words if the answer is inappropriate. When using an interpreter, the nurse should speak to the client rather than to the interpreter; speak slowly and use simple sentences; and rephrase a question in different words (or ask it indirectly) if the answer received is inappropriate or inconsistent with other indications. Avoid using metaphors (e.g., "Have you been feeling down?" "Once in a blue moon" "Does it feel like pins and needles?"); they are difficult to translate.
The home health nurse is conducting a health history interview with a client that immigrated 3 months ago. What action observed by the nurse would indicate that the client is adapting to the majority culture? The client reads books in the language of the new country. The client prepares traditional meals of the native country. The client lives in a neighborhood that has a population of immigrants from the native country. The client prefers to watch television in the native language.
The client reads books in the language of the new country. The client who is adapting to the majority culture will take on characteristics or behaviors of the new culture. The client who immigrated and who is reading books in the language of the new country is trying to adapt to the majority culture. Preference to watch television in the native language, living in a neighborhood with immigrants from the native country, and preparing traditional meals from the native country are continuance of preferred cultural background and not adaptation.
Nurses are socialized into the: nursing specialties. healthcare culture. caring paradigm. diagnostic process.
healthcare culture. Culture enables people of similar cultural heritage to understand the meanings of each other's words as part of the particular context, to read each other's nonverbal behavior fairly accurately, and to communicate through symbols. All of these characteristics apply to health care, so health care can be considered a culture into which one can be socialized. The other answers pertain to the career, practice, or intellectual aspects of nursing but not as much to the social aspect of nursing.
The mother of a Black newborn asks the nurse about the bluish-black areas she noticed around the infant's lower back and buttocks. What is the nurse's best response? "These areas are normal and should disappear by early childhood." "It will be best if you have these areas treated with laser surgery." "These spots will normally fade in about 2 weeks." "This discoloration occurs in some infants and is usually permanent."
"These areas are normal and should disappear by early childhood." These types of discolored areas are referred to as Mongolian spots. The discolorations are clusters of melanocytes and appear as bluish-black areas typically found on Black infants' lower backs and buttocks, as well as on Native American/First Nations and Asian infants. They are normal, occur in 80% to 90% of infants these populations, and typically disappear by early childhood.
When talking with a client, the nurse notes that the client keeps backing up. What would be the most appropriate response? Ask the client about personal space preferences. Back away from the client. Ask the client why he or she is backing away. Move closer to the client.
Ask the client about personal space preferences. It is most appropriate to ask the client what is preferred in regard to personal space. If the nurse needs to invade the client's personal space to do an examination or take vital signs, it is important to discuss the matter. It is not appropriate to back away without assessing preference. It may make the client feel judged if the nurse asks why he or she is backing away. Moving closer to the client just perpetuates the problem.
A client is experiencing culture shock. Which findings would the nurse likely assess? Select all that apply. Disorientation Stress Increased activity Calm demeanor Weakness
Disorientation Stress When the culture one has learned differs from the culture in one's environment, the acute reaction is called culture shock, and a person can become disoriented and stressed. Increased activity, calm demeanor and weakness are not associated with culture shock.
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 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 is caring for a client who is postoperative 3 days from coronary artery bypass graft. The client has a prescription to ambulate. What is the best action by the nurse? Allow the client to slowly ambulate independently. Instruct the family to assist the client with ambulation. Discuss with the client the need for assistance during ambulation. Obtain a prescription for physical therapy consult to ambulate the client.
Discuss with the client the need for assistance during ambulation. For members of some cultures, providing care and performing nursing interventions can intrude into personal space. The nurse should discuss with the client the need for assistance during ambulation and prepare the client for potential closeness. The client may ambulate independently, but the nurse should still assist. Having the family or physical therapy ambulate the client does not address the issue related to culture and nursing interventions.
A newly hired young nurse overheard the charge nurse talking with an older nurse on the unit. The charge nurse said, "All these young nurses think they can come in late and leave early." What cultural factor can the new nurse assess from this conversation? Stereotyping Cultural blindness Cultural conflict Cultural imposition
Stereotyping The charge nurse is clearly exhibiting ageism, which is a form of stereotyping. Cultural assimilation is when one begins to assume some characteristics of a culture outside of one's own. Cultural blindness occurs when cultural differences are ignored. Cultural imposition occurs when one pushes one's cultural beliefs onto another person.
A nurse convinces a client who is a Jehovah's Witness that receiving blood products is more important than the legalistic components of religion. What client reaction may be expected following this mandated change? The client states, "I feel like I abandoned my religion." The client states, "I am glad that nurse told me what to do." The client states, "I can't get over my feelings of legalism as a Jehovah's Witness." The client states, "Why isn't blood administration forced on all who need that treatment?"
The client states, "I feel like I abandoned my religion." When clients are forced to participate in care that conflicts with their values, feelings of guilt and abandonment are likely. These feelings may deepen and threaten the client's well-being. The other answer choices are not related to mandated change.
The nurse is using an interpreter to communicate with a client who speaks a different language. What would be the best way to choose an interpreter for this client? The interpreter should speak in a loud voice. The interpreter should conduct the conversation quickly to avoid misinterpretation. The interpreter should understand the health care system. The interpreter should always make direct eye contact.
The interpreter should understand the health care system. Obviously, nurses cannot become fluent in all languages, but certain strategies for fostering effective cross-cultural communication are necessary when providing care for clients who are not fluent in the dominant language. Cultural needs should be considered when choosing an interpreter; however, it is also important to use an interpreter who understands the health care system. In choosing an interpreter, the nurse should not select one who speaks in a loud voice, conducts the conversation quickly, or always makes direct eye contact. Direct eye contact is regarded differently among cultures.
The nurse is caring for a client who is terminally ill and recently immigrated to the country. The nurse understands that in order to provide quality end-of-life care for the client, what would be the priority action by the nurse? Make every effort to involve the client and the client's family with the end-of-life care. Understand the client's personal and cultural views regarding death and dying. Arrange for end-of-life care to be provided by personnel familiar with the client's culture. Share the client's concerns regarding the dying process with the interdisciplinary care team.
Understand the client's personal and cultural views regarding death and dying. Differences in beliefs, values, and traditional health care practices are relevant when planning end-of-life care. It is the nurse's responsibility to become familiar with the client's personal and cultural views. The other actions seek the views of others such as the client's family, those who are familiar with the client's culture, and the interdisciplinary team. Those actions do not address the client's personal and cultural views.
An older adult client who only speaks the nondominant language has been admitted to the emergency department after suffering a fall and suspected hip fracture in the home. Who is the best person to perform translation services for the client? a hospital translator a family member a trusted friend a bilingual hospital employee
a hospital translator A qualified interpreter who is familiar with health care terminology is the best choice for providing translation for clients. Such a person is more likely to be objective and well versed in the requisite vocabulary than is a friend, family member, or hospital employee.
The charge nurse overhears two new graduate nurses talking in the break-room. One graduate nurse states, "I hate getting reports from the older nurses; they are just too slow." The charge nurse understands that the nurse is demonstrating what? stereotyping cultural shock ethnocentrism ageism
ageism Ageism is a negative belief that older adults are physically and cognitively impaired. Therefore, the statement about the older nurses demonstrates ageism. Stereotyping is a fixed attitude about people who share common characteristics. Cultural shock is bewilderment over behavior that is culturally atypical. Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's cultural is better than other cultures.
The nurse is caring for a client who is admitted for hypertension (HTN). The nurse notes that the client has not been eating the food provided, and family members have brought in homemade food. What would be the best response by the nurse? "You should consider eating the food provided, which is healthier." "Do you understand the specific diet for your HTN?" "Can you tell me what foods you prefer to eat and what your family is bringing you?" "It is ok to eat what your family brought you, as long as we see what it is."
"Can you tell me what foods you prefer to eat and what your family is bringing you?" The nurse should attempt to provide culturally sensitive food; however, the nurse should assess what foods the client wants to eat. The nurse should educate the client on food preferences that are also appropriate to the disease-specific dietary restrictions. Even though the diet may be healthier, the nurse should first assess the client's preferences. The nurse should verify the client's understanding of the diet but should avoid closed-ended questions such as asking if the client understands the specific diet for HTN.
The nurse just attended a seminar on cultural diversity. Which statement by the nurse would require further education? "Ethnicity begins at birth or through adoption of characteristics." "People of the same ethnicity share many of the same cultural and social beliefs." "Ethnicity can often determine dialect and political interests." "Ethnicity and race are the same thing and are affected by cultural practice."
"Ethnicity and race are the same thing and are affected by cultural practice." People are often born into an ethnic group, or ethnicity develops by immersion in a community. People of the same ethnicity often speak similar dialects and share similar values. Ethnicity and race are terms used interchangeably; however, they are not the same thing. Race refers specifically to physical characteristics.
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." 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.
The nurse is collecting the health history of a client and notes the client is apprehensive in answering questions. The client states, "My spiritual healer will be here soon." What is the best response by the nurse? "I will leave the questionnaire here. Please fill it out when your spiritual healer arrives." "We can wait until your spiritual healer arrives and work together to answer these questions." "I can wait until your spiritual healer arrives, but you are the only one who can answer these questions." "These questions need to be answered so we can provide you with the best care."
"We can wait until your spiritual healer arrives and work together to answer these questions." The culturally sensitive nurse understands that some cultures rely on a spiritual healer to restore harmony and health. If the client requests the spiritual healer to be present, the nurse should respect the client's beliefs and decision. Leaving the questionnaire with the client is not acceptable because the nurse needs to make sure the questionnaire is completed with the client. Telling the client that he or she is the only one who can fill out the questionnaire is not necessary and rude. Telling the client that the questions need to be answered so the health care team can provide the best care is important, but recognizing and supporting the client and his or her beliefs is the priority.
A nurse is admitting a client to the unit. Which cultural question is most appropriate? "Will you be able to eat the normal food provided?" "What are your dietary needs and preferences?" "Do you have food restrictions?" "Will you be making requests for special food based on your religion?"
"What are your dietary needs and preferences?" By asking about dietary needs and preferences, the nurse can gain insight into religious and cultural dietary practices. Asking about "normal" foods assumes that a cultural dietary request is abnormal. The other options will produce limited insight and imply that a cultural dietary need is a restriction or hindrance.
A client has been admitted to the unit for chest pain. A nurse told the family that they could not be with the client. The family became very upset, and now the client wants to leave. What is the most culturally appropriate response by the charge nurse? "Would you feel more comfortable with your family with you?" "If you leave, you will be asked to sign a form indicating that you are leaving against medical advice." "Sometimes family can cause stress, and we try to maintain a stress-free care environment." "Why do you think you need to leave?"
"Would you feel more comfortable with your family with you?" Some cultures are very family oriented; others may have members who are skeptical of modern health care. The request for the client's family to leave most likely frightened the client. Asking the client how to make the client more comfortable is the best option. Asking the client why the client wants to leave is judgmental, implying there is no real reason to leave. Citing the hospital's policy regarding clients who leave against medical advice is not culturally sensitive and does not address the client's concerns. Clearly in this client's case, having the family present reduces, not causes, stress, so the comment about maintaining a stress-free environment is not valid.
The client is admitted to the hospital with a ruptured ovarian cyst. The client has expressed that it is very important that the spouse be present to receive all medical information. Using the concepts of culturally competent care, which is the best response? Explain to the client that the client is required to make all decisions related to the client's own health care. Document the client's request in the nursing care plan. Bring the client's spouse into the hallway to discuss surgical options for the client. Explain to the client that it is not a good idea to have the spouse in the room when discussing such a private matter.
Document the client's request in the nursing care plan. A culturally sensitive nurse is one who respects a client's requests while ensuring that the requests reflect safe medical practice. This client's request does not interfere with client safety. Thus, the request should be respected and communicated through documentation to other healthcare personnel. Telling the client that the client must make all health care decisions does not address the client's request. There is no need to move to the hallway to discuss the client's care with the client's spouse, and this would likely be offensive.
A client's spouse has asked that the client be cared for exclusively by female nurses. How should the nurse incorporate this request into the care plan? Document the request and make all reasonable efforts to honor it Assess the couple's rationale for making the request Determine whether the request is based on a valid reason or cultural preference Document the request as a knowledge deficit and address the couple's educational needs
Document the request and make all reasonable efforts to honor it Although cultural assessment in a tactful and respectful manner is likely appropriate in this situation, the care team's guiding principle and obligation should be to accommodate and respect the couple's request. It would be inappropriate for the care team to attempt to convince the couple to change their minds or assume that it is a personal preference. The nurse would not teach the couple that male nurses on the unit are empathetic, as having female nurses is the client's preference.
A nurse is caring for a postoperative client after knee arthroplasty. The nurse plans to help the client ambulate but is aware that the client may feel threatened by physical closeness because the client is from a culture that tends to prefer more personal space when interacting with others. Using the principles of culturally competent care, what would be the most appropriate nursing action? Let the client ambulate slowly on his or her own when stable. Explain the purpose and need for assistance during ambulation. Instruct family members to assist in ambulating the client. Ambulate the client explaining it is an expected outcome of their treatment.
Explain the purpose and need for assistance during ambulation. The nurse should explain the purpose of ambulation and the need for assistance while ambulating to the client. This would relieve the client's anxiety associated with physical closeness. However, the client won't be able to ambulate without assistance. Even though the nurse can instruct a family member to ambulate the client, this is not an appropriate action. Ambulating the client without recognizing the cultural difference is nontherapeutic, as the nurse would be not be performing culturally competent care by not acknowledging cultural practice.
A nurse is providing care to a medically compromised client with limited ability to speak the dominant language. To obtain information about the client's culture, who would be appropriate for the nurse to use as a key informant? Select all that apply. Family Friends Interpreters Staff Client's religious contact
Family Friends Interpreters Client's religious contact For most clients with limited ability to speak the dominant language, the most useful key informants in the hospital or clinic situation may be trained interpreters who are bilingual and bicultural, or family and friends. The role of religious figures in health, including as key informant, is important because people often interpret life-death and health-illness issues in terms of their cultural heritage or religious beliefs. The staff would be an inappropriate choice as a key informant.
In addressing health promotion for a client who is a member of another culture, the nurse should be guided by which principle? The client may have a very different understanding of health promotion. Health promotion is a concept that is largely exclusive to Western cultures. A culture's conceptualization of health promotion is a result of that culture's level of socioeconomic development. The nurse should avoid performing health promotion education if this is not a priority in the client's culture.
The client may have a very different understanding of health promotion. As a component of cultural assessment, the nurse should seek to understand the cultural lens through which the client may understand health promotion. Health promotion is not a concept exclusive to Western cultures, though it may be considered differently among non-Western cultures. Even if health promotion is not a priority in a client's culture, the nurse should still address issues related to health promotion in a respectful and relevant manner. Health promotion is not directly linked to socioeconomic development levels.
A client is seeking care at the local clinic. The nurse is completing a cultural assessment. Which scenario would demonstrate cultural assimilation? The client does not speak the dominant language and requires an interpreter. The client's child learned the dominant language as a second language. The client and child cook traditional foods for the family. The client enjoys watching television programs from the home country.
The client's child learned the dominant language as a second language. The child is demonstrating an example of cultural assimilation by taking on the language of the dominant culture. When a minority group lives within a dominant group, its members may adapt some of their cultural practices that once made them different. This process is referred to as cultural assimilation. Watching television from the home country, cooking traditional foods, and speaking only the original language demonstrate the original culture and an attempt to bring the minority culture into the dominant culture.
A parent informs the nurse that immunizations are against the parent's cultural and religious beliefs and the parent does not want the child to receive immunizations. The nurse proceeds to inform the parent that the child will be consistently ill and will not be allowed to start school unless immunized. The nurse also informs the parent that the nurse had all of the nurse's own children vaccinated. The nurse's behavior an example of: stereotyping. cultural blindness. cultural imposition. cultural conflict.
cultural imposition. The nurse's behavior is an example of cultural imposition, defined as the tendency to impose one's cultural beliefs, practices, and values on a person from a different culture. Stereotyping is when one assumes that all members of a culture, ethnic group, or race act alike. Cultural blindness occurs when one ignores differences and proceeds as though they do not exist. Cultural conflict occurs when people become aware of cultural differences, feel threatened, and respond by ridiculing the beliefs and traditions of others to make themselves feel more secure in their own values.
A client who immigrated from another country informs the nurse of dietary requests. The nurse responds to the special dietary needs by stating, "You are now living here, and you should try to start eating those foods common to our diet." This inappropriate response is an example of: cultural imposition. cultural blindness. cultural diversity. cultural assimilation.
cultural imposition. The nurse's response is an example of cultural imposition, which is defined as the belief that everyone should conform to the majority belief system. Cultural blindness is the result of ignoring differences and proceeding as though they do not exist. In this situation, the nurse did not ignorethe request but inappropriately responded to it. Cultural diversity is defined as a diverse group in society, with varying racial classifications and national origins, religious affiliations, languages, physical sizes, genders, sexual orientations, ages, disabilities, socioeconomic statuses, occupational statuses, and geographic locations. Cultural assimilation occurs when members of a minority group live within a dominant group and lose the cultural characteristics that make them different.
A nurse is caring for a client with bacterial pneumonia and a temperature of 104°F (40.0°C). Yesterday, the client's temperature was 102°F (38.9°C). The health care provider on call prescribes cool compresses for the client to help lower the fever. The client insists that the nurse bring warm blankets because they will help the client to recover more quickly. The nurse recognizes that the client's request is an example of: cultural ritual. cultural competence. cultural stereotyping. ethnocentrism.
cultural ritual. Clients and families often express rituals, or practices habitually repeated in certain contexts, during times of stress, such as during an acute hospitalization. Keeping the body covered and warm is a home remedy used by many cultures to help heal the body. As in this example, cultural rituals may conflict with Western medical beliefs. Cultural competence is an approach to health care in which one is aware of one's one cultural beliefs and biases and understands the effects that a client's culture has on the client's health care. Stereotyping involves applying a preconceived and untested generalization to a whole group of people. Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's culture is superior to another.