Cultural and Spiritual Considerations in Nursing Flashcards

A postpartum Hispanic patient refuses ice water and asks for warm liquids. Which belief is the patient most likely following?

Answer: The hot-cold theory of illness

The hot-cold theory, common in Hispanic and some Asian cultures, holds that the postpartum period is a cold state that is balanced with warm foods and fluids.

A nurse sees linear red marks on the back of a Vietnamese child with a cold. What is the nurse's best first action?

Answer: Ask the parents about traditional remedies such as coining

Coining (cao gio) is a traditional remedy that leaves linear marks, so the nurse should first assess the cultural practice before assuming abuse.

A patient says they have been seeing a curandero for herbal treatments. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

Answer: Ask which remedies they use and check for interactions with prescribed treatments

Including safe folk practices while screening remedies for interactions supports culturally competent, safe care.

A nurse uses the FICA tool during admission. What is the nurse assessing?

Answer: Spiritual history and beliefs

FICA stands for Faith, Importance, Community, and Address in care, and it is a spiritual assessment tool.

A nurse believes their own cultural health practices are better than a patient's. Which term describes this attitude?

Answer: Ethnocentrism

Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture is superior to others.

According to Campinha-Bacote's model, what is the first step a nurse should take toward cultural competence?

Answer: Examining their own cultural biases and values

Cultural awareness, meaning self-examination of one's own biases, is the foundation of cultural competence.

A patient taking warfarin reports drinking a traditional herbal remedy containing ginkgo biloba. What is the nurse's priority concern?

Answer: Increased bleeding risk

Ginkgo has antiplatelet effects that can increase bleeding risk when combined with warfarin.