A Native American patient arrives at the clinic for treatment related to type 2 diabetes

Question

Which of the following would best provide the nurse with information about the role food plays in the patient's cultural practice and identify how the patient's food preferences could be related to the patient's problem?
A) "Do you feel any of your cultural practices have a negative impact on your disease process?"
B) "What types of foods are served as a part of your cultural practices and how they are prepared?"
C) "As a non-native, I am unaware of your cultural practices. Could you teach me a few practices that may affect your care?"
D) "Tell me about foods that are important to your cultural practices and how you feel they relate to your diabetes."

Answer 1

Ans: D
Feedback: Food plays a significant role in both cultural practices and type 2 diabetes. By asking the question, "Tell me about the foods that are important to your cultural practices and how you feel they relate to your diabetes," the nurse demonstrates a cultural awareness to the client and allows an open-ended discussion of the disease process and its relationship to cultural practice. Option A is incorrect; it assumes that the patient knows diabetes is dangerous and the answer is stated in a threatening and negative way. Option B is incorrect; it only assesses the types and preparation of foods specific to cultural practices without relating it to diabetes. Option C is a good answer but focuses on "care" and fails to address the significance of food in cultural practice or diabetes.