A nurse is caring for a patient whose culture emphasizes family commitment and involvement. The patient needs to learn and incorporate extensive lifestyle changes for heart-healthy living

Question

Which action by the nurse would most likely lead to a successful outcome? a. Ask family members if they would like to help the patient make the changes.
b. Choose a family spokesperson and involve that person in the patient's teaching.
c. Encourage the family to check in on the patient to assess for his or her compliance.
d. Remind the patient that following the changes will lead to a longer life with his or her family.

Answer 1

A
In some cultures, nursing care decisions are not considered solely the wishes of the patient (the American way) but must take into consideration the wishes and decisions of all family members. Because family commitment and involvement are strengths of the patient's cultural group, the nurse should incorporate them into teaching and follow-up care for the patient.
Choosing a family spokesperson would work if there were a designated member of the cultural group to whom others defer. In this case, with the cultural strength being family involvement, the nurse would be wise to ask those people who are important to the patient if they would like to participate.
Encouraging the family to check in on the patient is a good intervention, involving many family members, but it is too narrow in focus to be the best answer.
Reminding the patient that following changes will lead to a longer life with family is a paternalistic statement and does not allow for involvement of the family, an identified cultural strength.