Culture

Question 1

Discuss the concepts of cultural diversity and respect

Answer 1

Coexistence of different ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups within one social unit
Varying
Religion
Language
Physical size
Sexual orientation
Disability
Occupational status
Geographical location

cultural diversity is the coexistence of different ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups within one social unit. With cultural respect, your Taylor book states that it “enables nurses to deliver services that are respectful of and responsive to the health beliefs, practices, and cultural and linguistic needs of diverse patients; critical to reducing health disparities and improving access to high-quality health care.” As nurses we must be familiar with the concepts of cultural diversity in order to understand characteristics common to certain populations.

Question 2

What’s culture shock?

Answer 2

The feelings a person experiences when placed in a different culture
May result in psychological discomfort or disturbances

Question 3

What’s cultural assimilation (acculturation)?

Answer 3

Minorities living within a dominant group lose the characteristics that made them different
Values replaced by those of dominant culture

Question 4

Whats ethnicity?

Answer 4

Sense of identification with a collective cultural group
Largely based on group’s common heritage
One can belong to an ethnic group through birth or adoption of characteristics of that group
Groups share unique cultural and social beliefs and behavior patterns
Largely develops through day-to-day life with family and friends within the community

Question 5

Discuss the various cultural influences affecting healthcare

Answer 5

Physiologic variations
Reactions to pain
Mental health
Assigned sex roles
Language and communication
Orientation to space and time
Food and nutrition
Family support
Socioeconomic factors
Health disparities

Question 6

Explain guidelines for performing a transcultural assessment

Answer 6

*Cultural Competence is encouraging health care professionals who value cultural competence to enhance their understanding of the following:

-Beliefs, values, traditions, and practices of a culture
-Culturally defined, health-related needs of individuals, families, and communities
-Culturally based belief systems of the etiology of illness and disease and those related to health and healing
-Attitudes toward seeking help from health care providers
-When nurses are caring for patients from a different culture, it is essential first to ask how they want to be treated based on their values and beliefs.