Culturally Competent Care Practice Questions

Question 1

A nurse is providing culturally competent care to a patient with limited English proficiency and strong cultural beliefs. Which of the following actions demonstrate appropriate culturally sensitive care? (Select all that apply.)

1. Recognizing and admitting personal gaps in cultural knowledge and being open to learning from the patient.
2. Utilizing a qualified medical interpreter to facilitate communication with a non-English-speaking patient.
3. Allowing the patient to use a family member to intepret critical medical information
4. Adapting the care plan to include culturally significant health remedies as long as they do not interfere with medical treatment.
5. Dismissing the patient’s use of traditional healers as outdated and ineffective.
6. Respectfully discussing the patient’s preferences for incorporating traditional practices into their care plan.
7. Assuming that all patients from a particular cultural background have the same health beliefs and practices.
8. Encouraging the patient to abandon traditional practices in favor of evidence-based medical care.
9. Engaging in active listening to understand the patient’s cultural perspective and health beliefs.
10. Avoiding any discussions about cultural practices to maintain a strictly clinical approach.

Answer 1

1, 2, 4, 6, 9

Question 2

A nurse is caring for a patient from a culture different from their own. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial action by the nurse?

A. Apply past experiences with that culture as a strict guideline.

B. Use previous experiences as a guide while remaining open to individual differences.

C. Assume that the patient follows cultural practices exactly as observed in the past.

D. Avoid asking the patient about cultural preferences to prevent discomfort.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

A nurse is caring for a patient who follows traditional healing methods from their culture. Which actions demonstrate culturally competent care? (Select all that apply.)

1. Allowing the patient to continue using herbal remedies as long as they do not interfere with medical treatments.
2. Discouraging the use of any traditional healing practices to ensure compliance with medical care.
3. Seeking advice from a respected family member or cultural healer to understand the significance of traditional methods.
4. Ignoring the patient’s traditional practices to maintain a strictly clinical approach.
5. Educating the patient on how to safely combine traditional and medical treatments, if appropriate.

Answer 3

1, 3, 5

Question 4

A nurse notices that a patient’s family is bringing homemade meals that align with the patient’s cultural preferences. What should the nurse do?

A. Educate the family about the hospital diet plan and discourage outside food.

B. Allow the food if it aligns with the patient’s prescribed diet and is safe.

C. Discard the homemade food to maintain hospital food safety standards.

D. Report the family’s actions to the charge nurse.

Answer 4

B

Question 5

A nurse is reflecting on a situation where cultural differences led to a misunderstanding with a patient. Which of the following actions demonstrate appropriate self-awareness and growth? (Select all that apply.)

1. Acknowledging the mistake and committing to learning from it.
2. Discussing the situation with a cultural expert to gain insight.
3. Blaming the patient for not adapting to the healthcare system.
4. Attending a workshop on cultural competence to improve future practice.
5. Avoiding patients from that culture in the future to prevent conflicts.

Answer 5

1, 2, 4

Question 6

During end-of-life care, a patient’s family insists on performing a traditional ritual that may extend the patient’s passing. What is the nurse’s best response?

A. Refuse to allow the ritual to maintain hospital protocols.

B. Encourage the family to perform the ritual as long as it does not harm the patient.

C. Call security to prevent the ritual.

D. Inform the family that only medical procedures are allowed.

Answer 6

B

Question 7

A nurse is preparing to involve a patient’s family in their care. Which actions demonstrate culturally competent practices? (Select all that apply.)

1. Identifying the family member who traditionally makes healthcare decisions.
2. Involving the entire family equally without considering cultural norms.
3. Respecting the decision-maker’s role even if it differs from the nurse’s expectations.
4. Including family members in teaching and care planning, as culturally appropriate.
5. Avoiding family involvement altogether to maintain patient privacy.

Answer 7

1, 3, 4

Question 8

A patient uses a traditional healer in addition to medical treatment. What is the nurse’s best response?

A. Educate the patient on the dangers of combining treatments.

B. Respectfully discuss the healer’s role and ensure safety and compatibility with medical care.

C. Advise the patient to stop seeing the healer.

D. Report the use of a traditional healer as noncompliance.

Answer 8

B

Question 9

A nurse caring for a patient from a different culture wants to develop cultural knowledge. Which actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)

1. Study how different cultures approach healthcare and illness.
2. Avoid asking patients about their cultural beliefs to prevent discomfort.
3. Be open to learning from patients about their cultural preferences.
4. Seek input from respected cultural figures when needed.
5. Rely on personal assumptions about the patient’s culture.

Answer 9

1, 3, 4

Question 10

A nurse notices that a patient from a diverse background does not make eye contact during the conversation. What is the most appropriate interpretation of this behavior?

A. Assume the patient is being dishonest.

B. Recognize that avoiding eye contact may be a cultural sign of respect.

C. Conclude that the patient does not understand the information given.

D. Consider it a sign of noncompliance and lack of interest.

Answer 10

B

Question 11

Which actions demonstrate that a nurse is actively avoiding cultural imposition and ethnocentrism? (Select all that apply.)

1. Avoiding making assumptions based on the nurse’s own cultural norms.
2. Valuing and incorporating the patient’s cultural practices when safe.
3. Judging the patient’s beliefs as inferior to modern medical practices.
4. Encouraging the patient to maintain practices that do not compromise health.
5. Adapting care to respect cultural values even if they differ from personal beliefs.

Answer 11

1, 2, 4 ,5

Question 12

A nurse is conducting a cultural assessment of a patient who has limited English proficiency. Which of the following is the most appropriate communication technique?

A. Use medical jargon to maintain professionalism.

B. Use simple, clear language and avoid medical terminology.

C. Rely on family members to translate complex medical terms.

D. Provide written instructions using advanced medical vocabulary.

Answer 12

B

Question 13

A nurse is assessing a patient’s cultural needs and observes interactions between the patient and their support system. Which of the following actions demonstrate culturally competent care?** (Select all that apply.)**

1. Observing nonverbal cues to understand family dynamics and interactions.
2. Using qualified interpreters when language barriers are present.
3. Forcing the patient to participate in care despite cultural conflicts.
4. Clarifying the patient’s understanding of care and instructions.
5. Offering culturally relevant resources to support health education.

Answer 13

1, 2, 4, 5

Question 14

A nurse provides patient education on a new treatment plan. After explaining, the nurse asks the patient to explain it back. What is the primary reason for this approach?

A. To assess the patient’s willingness to comply.

B. To evaluate the effectiveness of communication and understanding.

C. To check if the patient memorized the instructions.

D. To test the patient’s intelligence.

Answer 14

B

Question 15

Which of the following are essential components of a cultural assessment when interacting with patients from diverse backgrounds? (Select all that apply.)

1. Observing the interactions between the patient and their support system.
2. Avoiding medical jargon during conversations.
3. Clarifying the patient’s understanding of the care given.
4. Forcing the patient to follow healthcare recommendations despite cultural conflicts.
5. Offering resources to reduce healthcare disparities.

Answer 15

1, 2, 3, 5

Question 16

A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a procedure due to cultural beliefs. What is the best response by the nurse?

A. Document the refusal and proceed with the procedure.

B. Respect the patient’s decision and discuss alternative options.

C. Educate the patient on why the procedure is necessary and insist on compliance.

D. Report the refusal as noncompliance to the healthcare team.

Answer 16

B

Question 17

A nurse is teaching a patient with limited health literacy about diabetes management. Which interventions are most appropriate? (Select all that apply.)

1. Using visual aids and simple language to explain key concepts.
2. Clarifying the patient’s understanding by asking them to repeat the information.
3. Offering culturally relevant community resources to support ongoing education.
4. Assuming the patient will ask questions if they are confused.
5. Avoiding technical terms and jargon throughout the teaching session.

Answer 17

1, 2, 3, 5

Question 18

A nurse observes that a patient’s family seems hesitant to participate in care. What should the nurse do first?

A. Insist that the family actively participate despite their reservations.

B. Respect the family’s choice and avoid further encouragement.

C. Explore the family’s cultural beliefs regarding caregiving roles.

D. Document the lack of involvement and continue with the care plan.

Answer 18

C

Question 19

Which of the following actions would help decrease healthcare disparities among culturally diverse patients? (Select all that apply.)
1. Providing culturally relevant educational materials.

2. Avoiding the use of interpreters to encourage English proficiency.
3. Offering referrals to community resources that support cultural and healthcare needs.
4. Using the teach-back method to ensure understanding.
5. Forcing the patient to accept medical treatments that conflict with their beliefs.

Answer 19

1, 3, 4

Question 20

A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient who speaks limited English. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

A. Speak slowly and loudly to ensure understanding.

B. Use a qualified medical interpreter to explain instructions.

C. Rely on written instructions in English.

D. Instruct a family member to translate the discharge plan.

Answer 20

B

Question 21

A nurse is developing a care plan for a culturally diverse patient. Which interventions demonstrate cultural competence?(Select all that apply.)

1. Respecting the patient’s decision to refuse care that conflicts with their values.
2. Forcing compliance to standard care protocols regardless of cultural beliefs.
3. Incorporating dietary preferences into meal planning when safe and appropriate.
4. Asking the patient to describe any traditional remedies or practices they follow.
5. Providing educational materials that reflect the patient’s language and culture.

Answer 21

1, 3, 4, 5