Kozier & Erbs Chapter 41: Spirituality

The nurse and client have spent several minutes praying together that the clients upcoming surgery will be successful. What action should the nurse take at this point?

Stay with the client until the emotion evoked by the prayer dissipates.

A client who is devoutly Jewish is hospitalized during Yom Kippur, a time when many of the Jewish faith fast. The client expresses a desire to follow this religious pattern. How should the nurse respond to this wish?

Support the clients desires to the extent possible.

The client being prepared for a procedure asks to be allowed to wear a religious medal. The client states, I have worn this medal and have not removed it since I was a teenager. What action should be taken by the nurse?

Tell the client that the nurse will explain to the colonoscopy staff about the medal and will request that they allow the client to wear it.

During assessment, the client tells the nurse, I dont believe that the existence of God has been proven. I dont see the scientific evidence I need to be certain. How does the nurse document this finding?

The client is agnostic.

The nurse is concerned that the spouse of a recently deceased client is experiencing spiritual distress when the nurse observes the client: Standard Text: Select all that apply.

1. Expressing anger toward God. 5. Refusing comfort from family.

While caring for a client with a terminal illness, the nurse assesses that the client has several spiritual needs relating to self. What did the nurse assess in this client? Standard Text: Select all that apply.

1. Need for hope. 3. Need for personal dignity. 5. Need to accept death.

The nurse is planning to conduct a spiritual self-assessment. What questions would the nurse include in this assessment? Standard Text: Select all that apply.

1. What makes me joyful? 2. What causes me to feel despair? 4. What is my purpose in life? 5. What feeds my spirit?

The nurse is determining the spiritual care needs for a client diagnosed with terminal cancer. What qualities should the nurse include when planning this clients care? Standard Text: Select all that apply.

2. Receptivity. 3. Humanity. 4. Competency. 5. Positivity.

The nurse is engaging in an activity to develop spiritual self-awareness. What activities can aid the nurse in achieving this goal? Standard Text: Select all that apply.

3. Explore personal end-of-life issues. 4. Create a personal loss history. 5. List significant values.

A client tells the nurse that attending church school on Sundays and learning about those who were influenced by Jesus and God is an important aspect of the clients life. From this information, the nurse determines that the client is at which spiritual developmental stage?

7 1/2 years old.

The emergency department nurse contacts the admissions office to request a bed for a bed-bound client who is a practicing Muslim. Acting as an advocate for the client, what request should the nurse make of the admission clerk?

A bed that faces east will be best.

According to Jourard, spirituality can be measured on a spirit titer. Which client does the nurse assess to have a high spirit titer?

A client who works to be an inspiration to others despite hardships

The client states, I dont know what all this fuss is about religion. God died years ago. The nurse does believe in God and has a strong inclination to share reasons for that belief with the client. What is the best question for the nurse to consider before responding to the clients remark?

Am I meeting my needs or the clients?

The family of a dying client has informed the nurse that their religion requires a ritual bath be given by members of the faith after death. Since the hospital unit is very busy and there is an acute need for every bed, how should the nurse respond to this request?

Arrange for supplies and privacy for the family.

The female client belongs to a religious community that requires women to dress conservatively in clothing that covers the arms and the knees. This client expresses concern that her body will be exposed during a scheduled cardiac catheterization. How should the nurse respond to this concern?

Ask the cath lab charge nurse to come to the clients room to talk with her about the concerns.

During assessment, the client says that it has been a long time since she has thought very much about religion. The nurse caring for this client has a strong belief in God and the healing power of prayer. What action should be taken by the nurse?

Ask the client if there are any spiritual needs with which the staff can assist.

During labor, it becomes apparent that the male infant will survive only a short time after birth. Since this babys parents are Catholic, what planning should the nurse consider?

Ask the hospital chaplain to be present in the delivery room.

The nurse is determining whether interventions to address the diagnosis of Spiritual Distress for a client newly diagnosed with a chronic illness have been effective. What outcome would indicate that interventions have been effective for this client?

Client has talked with the church priest twice during the hospitalization.

The client tells the nurse, I dont know what to do. The treatment plan my physician has suggested is against some of my religious beliefs. What nursing diagnosis problem statement should the nurse assign to this client?

Decisional Conflict

The nurse has developed a strong rapport with a client whose medical care necessitates transfusion of multiple units of blood. The client has a religious objection to this treatment even though it is necessary to sustain life. What action should be taken by the nurse?

Encourage the client, the physician, and the clients spiritual adviser to discuss this conflict and any possible alternative therapies.

The nurse assesses that a client is experiencing spiritual distress. What should be the nurses primary intervention?

Establish a trusting nurse-client relationship.

The nurse determines that a middle-aged client has developed spiritually when the client states:

I listen and learn from others who talk about beliefs in God or a Supreme Being.

A client newly diagnosed with a terminal illness asks to talk with the hospital chaplain and requests a Bible to read. What do these client behaviors indicate to the nurse?

Interventions for Spiritual Distress have been effective.

The nurse caring for wheelchair-dependent residents of a long-term care environment has developed a care plan that includes taking the clients outside and assisting them in planting and maintaining a garden. What is the best rationale for this plan?

Keeping in touch with nature is a form of spiritual care.

How can the nurse best support the spiritual development of a hospitalized 5-year-old?

Listen to the childs routine bedtime prayer.

As a part of care planning, the nurse considers the clients spiritual needs. What is the rationale for this concern?

Meeting the clients spiritual needs can decrease suffering.

The newly hired nurse notices that co-workers routinely pray with clients and their families. The nurse has never been particularly religious or spiritual and is unaccustomed to praying, but holds no strong feeling against prayer. What is the best strategy for the nurse to plan for such situations?

Memorize two or three short, formal prayers to use when prayer is requested.

After asking general assessment questions regarding spirituality, the nurse finds the client content and satisfied. How should the nurse conduct the rest of the assessment?

No further specific spiritual assessment is currently necessary.

When arriving to a clients room to provide care, the client is praying with family. What action should be taken by the nurse?

Quietly shut the door and wait in the hall until asked to enter.

The client diagnosed with diabetes mellitus develops diabetic ketoacidosis after a religious fast. The client tells the nurse, I have fasted during this season every year since I became an adult. I am not going to stop now. The nurse is not knowledgeable about this particular religion. What is the best action for this nurse?

Request a consult from a diabetes educator

The nurse has identified that many of the clients in the long-term care facility have spiritual concerns and distress. What is the nurses first step in becoming a competent provider for these clients?

The nurse must possess a healthy spiritual self-awareness.

The 70-year-old client with terminal lung cancer tells the nurse, I am dying because I sinned by smoking cigarettes. What is the nurses best response to this dying client?

When you started smoking cigarettes we didnt know about the problems they cause. It is not your fault.

During the morning bath, the client asks if the nurse is religious and believes in God. What guideline would be most helpful to the nurse in formulating a response to this question?

Will sharing this information positively contribute to the relationship?