The patient is from an Arab culture and is in labor and delivery. Her husband insists he must stay with her, and will not allow her to receive any analgesia during the experience. What is the best action by the nurse?
1. Inform the husband that it is his wife's choice whether or not to receive analgesia.
2. Inform the husband that he must sign a release of responsibility to avoid future litigation against the hospital.
3. Allow the request, but inform the husband that the physician will make the final decision about analgesia.
4. Allow this request, and be available in the event the request changes.
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: Nurses must allow and support cultural differences. The husband's decisions must be respected as long as patient safety is not involved, and it is not involved in this situation. With some cultures, the husband makes the choices, not the wife or the physician. When cultural differences are allowed and supported, patients are not as likely to become involved in litigation.
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