In her work with pregnant women of various cultures, a nurse practitioner has observed various practices that seemed strange or unusual

Question

She has learned that cultural rituals and practices during pregnancy seem to have one purpose in common. Which statement best describes that purpose?
a. To promote family unity
b. To ward off the "evil eye"
c. To appease the gods of fertility
d. To protect the mother and fetus during pregnancy

Answer 1

ANS: D
The purpose of all cultural practices is to protect the mother and fetus during pregnancy. Although many cultures consider pregnancy normal, certain practices are expected of women of all cultures to ensure a good outcome. Cultural prescriptions tell women what to do, and cultural proscriptions establish taboos. The purposes of these practices are to prevent maternal illness resulting from a pregnancy-induced imbalanced state and to protect the vulnerable fetus.