The nurse is caring for a patient who is a member of the local Native American community. The patient is refusing medications and treatments in spite of repeated attempts to explain the importance of these interventions. Which is an appropriate nursing action?

Question

a. Ask a family member about traditional healing practices that might be better accepted.
b. Enlist the help of a family member to explain the need for the medications and treatments.
c. Find a hospital staff member who is Native American to help provide teaching for this patient.
d. Suggest a Social Work consult to the patient's provider.

Answer 1

ANS: A
Members of some cultures may use traditional healers, and this should be accommodated whenever possible. Showing respect for this patient's culture will help to establish trust and thus greater cooperation. It is important for the nurse not to make generalizations within and among cultural groups, so asking a family member to describe what this particular patient needs is the better choice. Finding a hospital staff member who is Native American assumes that all Native Americans have the same practices. Deferring to a Social Worker is not necessary. Enlisting a family member to explain the need for the medications is just another way of imposing treatments on this person without respecting their cultural needs.