From culture to culture time often takes on different meanings. In exploring the relationship of time to nursing interventions, the nurse should:

Question

1. Avoid using set times to do procedures, if possible
2. Maintain the set times for treatments and inform the client of the schedule
3. Maintain a flexible attitude when the client requests procedures to be done at specific times
4. Encourage clients to set the times when they would like the nurse to perform nursing care activities.

Answer 1

ANS: 3
Because time has different meanings from one culture to another, the nurse should maintain a flexible attitude and not become emotionally upset when the client requests procedures to be done at different times. When making appointments and referrals, anticipated barriers to time adherence should be explored and managed with the client. For organizational purposes, nurses should seek clients' input and together the nurse and client may set a time to do procedures. Maintaining set times for treatments and informing the client of the schedule do not take into consideration the client's time orientation. Although the client's input should be sought, it is not realistic to have clients set their own times for nursing care activities regardless of the schedule. Some procedures may be required more frequently than the client would set, or the nurse may be unable to meet the needs of several clients on the unit at the same time.