What should the nurse include when performing a cultural assessment? (Select all that apply.)

Question

1. "Is there anyone you wish to include in the decision making concerning your care?"
2. "Do you have steps in your home?"
3. "What do you believe the cause of your illness to be?"
4. "Are you using any cultural remedies?"
5. "Where do you work?"

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1, 3, 4

Cultural assessments are the cornerstone for providing culturally competent care. To obtain cultural assessment data, nurses use broad statements and open-ended questions that encourage clients to express themselves fully. Some of the questions to ask are, "Who is the decision maker for treatment and care? What does the patient believe the cause of the illness to be? What cultural remedies is the patient taking?" These questions will provide cultural insights to allow the nurse to provide an assessment and care plan tailored to the client. There are a number of other questions that will continue to build on the nurse's understanding of the client's culture. Questions concerning the home environment are utilized to ascertain home care needs once the patient returns home. Employment information is usually obtain in a health history to determine exposures to chemical or environmental hazards but is not part of a cultural assessment.