The nurse plans care for an older African American adult who is from Jamaica and resides in New York City. Which should the nurse include in planning care?

Question

a. Attribute his illness to breaking a voodoo.
b. Help him improve social relationships.
c. Maintain blood pressure below 120/70 mm Hg.
d. Review the principles of the magicoreli-gious system.

Answer 1

C
Because African Americans tend to be at risk for cardiovascular disease and hypertension, the nurse plans to maintain the patient's blood pressure at or below the current recommendation by the American Heart Association. The nurse can be incorrectly assuming that he practices and be-lieves in the magicoreligious system. The nurse should assess his spiritual beliefs and determine how much they influence his attitudes toward Western health care. The magicoreligious system maintains social relationships in good condition to prevent illness; however, if the older adult does not follow this cultural practice, then this goal can be unsuitable. The older adult may not believe in this system; therefore the information can be irrelevant.