Cultural Competency Flashcards

A surviving same-sex partner is excluded from funeral planning by the deceased's family of origin. This is an example of what?

Answer: Disenfranchised grief

Doka described disenfranchised grief as loss that is not openly acknowledged or socially supported, often because the relationship is not recognized.

A bereaved client from a Native American or East Asian background avoids direct eye contact during a session. How should the practitioner interpret this?

Answer: Possibly as a culturally rooted sign of respect

In many cultures, avoiding direct eye contact with someone seen as an authority shows respect rather than avoidance.

At a bedside death, family members begin loud wailing and physically expressive mourning. What is the best response?

Answer: Recognize it as a normative cultural expression of grief and provide privacy and space

Open, vocal grieving is normal in many cultures and should be supported, not pathologized.

The FICA spiritual assessment tool developed by Christina Puchalski assesses which domains?

Answer: Faith, Importance, Community, Address in care

FICA covers Faith and belief, Importance, Community, and how to Address spiritual needs in care.

What is the best approach to supporting a bereaved Native American family whose tribal affiliation you do not know?

Answer: Ask the family about their specific tribal, spiritual, and family practices

There are more than 570 federally recognized tribes with widely varying traditions, so individual inquiry is essential.

The medical examiner requires an autopsy, but the deceased's Orthodox Jewish family objects on religious grounds. What is the most culturally competent response?

Answer: Explain the legal requirement sensitively and advocate for accommodations such as prompt or minimally invasive procedures

Practitioners honor religious concerns by explaining the law clearly and advocating for allowable accommodations.

A bereavement practitioner wants to identify unconscious attitudes that could affect care for diverse clients. Which step is most appropriate?

Answer: Complete an implicit bias self-assessment and reflect on the results

Implicit bias exists outside awareness, so structured self-assessment and reflection are key parts of cultural competence.