Your patient, who is a devout Roman Catholic, is hospitalized for treatment of her chronic heart condition.You notice that the patient is wearing a crucifix and has rosary beads in her hand and religious literature in her room. You respond by
a. asking if she plans on displaying other religious artifacts.
b. documenting your observations in her medical records.
c. offering to call her priest.
d. using this opportunity to ask her about her spiritual beliefs.
D
Just as you observe the patient for evidence of health and disease, observe the patient for clues to her religious and spiritual beliefs. Beyond the obvious Bible and religious jewelry, look for special clothing (Mormons, Jews, Sihks), religious objects draped or tied around the body (Catholics, Jews), uncut hair (Orthodox Jews, Sikhs), prayer beads (Buddhists, Catholics) and even knives (Sikhs). Ask about an object you are unfamiliar with. It may be fashion or it may be sacred. In any case, your observations and questions may open the door to the spiritual assessment. Therefore, option "d" is the best response. Option "a" is incorrect because it is stereotyping the patient and jumping to conclusions. Do not assume that the crucifix, rosary beads, and religious literature mean the patient is a devout believer. Option "b" is not the best response. Once you have determined if these objects have religious meaning to the patient, then it is useful to document your observations in her medical record. Option "c" is incorrect, again, because you do not yet know the significance of the items in the patient's room, that is, fashion or sacred. If the items do not have religious or spiritual significance, offering to call her priest might be offensive and insulting to her.
You might also like to view...
The nurse is reviewing the development of culture. Which statement is correct regarding the development of one's culture? Culture is:
a. Genetically determined on the basis of racial background. b. Learned through language acquisition and socialization. c. A nonspecific phenomenon and is adaptive but unnecessary. d. Biologically determined on the basis of physical characteristics.
Which of the following is a primary nursing goal when obtaining a health history from a client?
a. to determine why the client continues to participate in activities that are unhealthy b. to incorporate the family into the client's care c. to obtain psychosocial information about the client and family d. to identify present and potential health problems
Which symptom would the nurse expect in a patient diagnosed with dissociative fugue?
a. Worry about having a serious disease b. A feeling of detachment from one's body c. Belief that part of the body is ugly or disproportionate d. Travel away from home and assumption of a new identity
A 35-year-old woman reports lethargy, difficulty remembering things, facial edema, dry skin, and cessation of menses. The nurse notes a heart rate of 60 beats per minute and a weight increase of 5 pounds from a previous visit
The nurse will notify the provider of which possible condition? a. Cretinism b. Early menopause c. Hyperthyroidism d. Myxedema