Cultural Competency in Communication Flashcards
7 cards from real CELBAN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Cultural Competency in Communication flashcards as text
A patient from a collectivist culture insists that all medical decisions be made by the family elder, not themselves. What is the most culturally competent nursing response?
Answer: Respect the patient's cultural preference and include the family elder in discussions with the patient's consent
Respecting a patient's cultural value of collective decision-making, while ensuring the patient consents to this arrangement, honors both autonomy and cultural competency.
When communicating with a patient who uses silence as a sign of respect and contemplation, the nurse should:
Answer: Allow adequate time for silence and avoid rushing the patient
In many cultures, silence signifies respect and thoughtful reflection, so nurses must allow comfortable pauses rather than interpreting silence as confusion.
A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient whose primary language is not English. Which approach best ensures cultural competency?
Answer: Use a professional interpreter service to relay instructions
Professional interpreter services ensure accurate, confidential, and unbiased communication that protects patient safety and respects their linguistic needs.
A patient refuses to make eye contact with the nurse during assessment. The culturally competent nurse would:
Answer: Recognize that eye contact avoidance may be a sign of respect in some cultures
In many cultures, avoiding direct eye contact with authority figures or healthcare providers is a sign of deference and respect, not disengagement.
Which of the following BEST describes cultural humility in nursing practice?
Answer: Maintaining a lifelong commitment to self-reflection and learning about diverse cultures
Cultural humility emphasizes ongoing self-reflection, openness to learning, and recognizing the limits of one's own cultural knowledge rather than claiming expertise.
A patient explains they prefer a same-gender nurse for physical examinations due to religious beliefs. The nurse should:
Answer: Accommodate the request when possible by arranging a same-gender nurse
Accommodating gender preferences for religious or cultural reasons is an important aspect of patient-centered, culturally competent care.
During a health history, a patient from a culture where mental illness is highly stigmatized denies any psychological symptoms. The nurse should:
Answer: Use indirect, culturally sensitive language to explore emotional well-being
Using indirect, non-threatening language helps patients from stigma-sensitive backgrounds feel safe enough to share mental health concerns.