NCLEX - W12 - Transcultural Flashcards
A nurse is caring for a patient who speaks a different language. What is the action for the nurse to take to ensure effective communication?
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A. Ask a family member to interpret.
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B. Use hand gestures and pictures to communicate.
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C. Request a professional medical interpreter.
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D. Use a translation app on a smartphone.
Answer: C
Rationale: Using a professional medical interpreter is the most appropriate action because interpreters are trained to accurately convey medical information and cultural nuances. While family members may offer to interpret, they might not have the necessary medical vocabulary or understanding of privacy concerns. Hand gestures and pictures can be helpful for basic needs but may not be sufficient for complex medical discussions. Translation apps may be inaccurate or lack context, potentially leading to misunderstandings.
A nurse is developing a plan of care for a patient from a different culture. What is the action for the nurse to take?
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A. Assume the patient’s cultural beliefs based on their ethnicity.
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B. Ask the patient about their cultural beliefs and practices related to health.
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C. Consult a textbook on cultural health practices for the patient’s ethnic group.
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D. Use the nurse’s own cultural beliefs to guide the patient’s care.
Answer: B
Rationale: It is most important to ask the patient directly about their cultural beliefs and practices as these can vary greatly within ethnic groups. Assuming beliefs based on ethnicity can lead to stereotyping and culturally insensitive care. While textbooks and resources can be helpful, they should not replace direct communication with the patient. The nurse’s own cultural beliefs should not be imposed on the patient.
A nurse is assessing a patient’s pain level. The patient is from a culture that values stoicism and may not express pain openly. What should the nurse do to accurately assess the patient’s pain?
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A. Assume the patient has a high pain tolerance and does not need pain medication.
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B. Use a pain scale that is culturally appropriate for the patient.
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C. Observe the patient’s nonverbal cues for signs of pain.
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D. Ask the patient’s family members about their perception of the patient’s pain.
Answer: C
Rationale: Observing the patient’s nonverbal cues is the most reliable approach in this situation. Patients from cultures that discourage open expression of pain may still exhibit physical signs like grimacing, guarding, or changes in vital signs. Assuming high pain tolerance or relying solely on verbal reports can lead to inadequate pain management. While culturally appropriate pain scales are valuable, they should be used in conjunction with careful observation. Involving family members can be helpful but should not replace the nurse’s assessment.
A nurse is caring for a patient who is practicing a folk remedy that the nurse believes may be harmful. What is the action for the nurse to take?
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A. Tell the patient to stop using the remedy immediately.
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B. Ignore the patient’s use of the remedy.
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C. Respectfully discuss the potential risks of the remedy with the patient.
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D. Consult with the healthcare provider about ordering a blood test to check for adverse effects.
Answer: C
Rationale: It’s most appropriate to approach the situation with respect and discuss the potential risks of the folk remedy with the patient. Simply telling the patient to stop might be perceived as dismissive of their cultural beliefs. Ignoring the practice could put the patient at risk. While consulting the healthcare provider is important, initiating a conversation with the patient first is crucial to build trust and understanding.
A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient who will be using a new medication. The patient has a low health literacy level. What is the approach for the nurse to use when teaching the patient about the medication?
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A. Use medical terminology to ensure accuracy.
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B. Provide written instructions in the patient’s primary language.
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C. Use simple language and avoid jargon, asking the patient to repeat back the instructions.
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D. Show the patient a video about the medication.
Answer: C
Rationale: The best approach is to use simple language, avoiding medical jargon, and ask the patient to repeat back the instructions using the teach-back method. This helps to confirm understanding, especially for patients with low health literacy levels. While written instructions are helpful, they may not be effective for individuals with reading difficulties. Medical terminology can be confusing, and videos may not be accessible or comprehensive enough to ensure understanding
A nurse is caring for a patient who is refusing a blood transfusion due to religious beliefs. What is the nursing action in this situation?
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A. Respect the patient’s decision and document it in the medical record.
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B. Try to convince the patient to accept the transfusion.
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C. Call the hospital’s ethics committee to intervene.
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D. Administer the transfusion anyway because it is medically necessary.
Answer: A
Rationale: Respecting the patient’s decision and documenting it is the most important action. Patients have the right to refuse treatment based on their religious beliefs. Attempting to convince the patient or administering the transfusion against their will violates their autonomy and right to self-determination. While an ethics consult may be appropriate in some cases, it is not the immediate priority.
A nurse is admitting a patient to the hospital. What information should the nurse include in a cultural assessment? (Select all that apply.)
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A. Patient’s preferred language
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B. Patient’s dietary preferences
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C. Patient’s religious beliefs
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D. Patient’s health insurance provider
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E. Patient’s use of traditional or alternative therapies
Answer: A, B, C, E
Rationale: A cultural assessment should gather information about the patient’s preferred language for communication, dietary preferences that may impact care, religious beliefs that could influence treatment decisions, and use of traditional or alternative therapies that might interact with prescribed medications. The patient’s health insurance provider is not relevant to cultural assessment.
A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing a spiritual crisis. What is the action for the nurse to take?
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A. Refer the patient to a chaplain or spiritual advisor.
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B. Tell the patient that everything will be alright.
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C. Change the subject to something less sensitive.
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D. Share the nurse’s own religious beliefs with the patient.
Answer: A
Rationale: Referring the patient to a chaplain or spiritual advisor is the most appropriate action. These professionals are trained to provide spiritual support and guidance. Offering false reassurance or changing the subject is dismissive of the patient’s concerns. Sharing personal religious beliefs can be inappropriate and may not be helpful to the patient.
What is an example of culturally congruent care?
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A. Treating all patients the same regardless of their background.
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B. Providing care that is consistent with the patient’s cultural values and beliefs.
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C. Using a standardized approach to care for all patients.
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D. Ignoring the patient’s cultural background when providing care.
Answer: B
Rationale: Culturally congruent care means providing care that aligns with the patient’s cultural values, beliefs, and practices. Treating all patients the same or using a standardized approach can lead to cultural misunderstandings and ineffective care. Ignoring cultural background completely is disrespectful and insensitive.
A nurse is caring for a patient from a culture that values family involvement in healthcare decisions. The healthcare provider wants to discuss a treatment plan with the patient, but the patient insists that their family members be present for the conversation. What should the nurse do?
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A. Tell the patient that the conversation needs to be private between the patient and the healthcare provider.
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B. Support the patient’s request and arrange for the family members to be present.
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C. Consult with the hospital’s ethics committee to determine the best course of action.
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D. Ask the healthcare provider to speak to the family members separately.
Answer: B
Rationale: Supporting the patient’s request and arranging for family involvement is the most appropriate action. It shows respect for the patient’s cultural values and promotes shared decision-making. Insisting on a private conversation or involving the ethics committee unnecessarily dismisses the patient’s preferences. While speaking to the family separately may be helpful in some situations, it should not replace their presence during the initial discussion
A nurse is educating a new graduate nurse about culturally competent care. Which statement by the new graduate indicates a need for further teaching?
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A. “I will ask patients about their cultural beliefs and practices related to health.”
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B. “I will use a professional interpreter when communicating with patients who speak a different language.”
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C. “I will treat all patients the same way regardless of their cultural background.”
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D. “I will be aware of my own cultural biases and how they might affect my care.”
Answer: C
Rationale: The statement “I will treat all patients the same way regardless of their cultural background” indicates a need for further teaching. Culturally competent care recognizes and respects individual differences, adapting care to align with patients’ cultural values and needs.
Which of the following is a health disparity?
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A. A patient who has access to the best healthcare facilities.
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B. A community where everyone has equal access to healthcare resources.
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C. A population group that experiences higher rates of certain diseases compared to other groups.
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D. A healthcare system that provides culturally competent care to all patients.
Answer: C
Rationale: Health disparities refer to differences in health outcomes and access to healthcare among different population groups. A population experiencing higher rates of certain diseases suggests a health disparity
Answer: C
Rationale: Health disparities refer to differences in health outcomes and access to healthcare among different population groups. A population experiencing higher rates of certain diseases suggests a health disparity
A nurse is caring for a patient who is terminally ill. The patient’s family members are requesting that certain religious rituals be performed. What should the nurse do?
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A. Tell the family that religious rituals are not allowed in the hospital.
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B. Accommodate the family’s request to the extent possible within hospital policies.
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C. Suggest that the family perform the rituals at home after the patient is discharged.
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D. Consult with the healthcare provider about whether the rituals are medically appropriate.
Answer: B
Rationale: Accommodating the family’s request to the extent possible within hospital policies shows respect for the patient’s and family’s spiritual needs and cultural beliefs during a sensitive time. Denying religious rituals or suggesting they be performed elsewhere is insensitive and dismissive. While medical considerations are important, they should not override the patient’s and family’s spiritual needs in this situation.
Which of the following is an example of a social determinant of health?
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A. A patient’s genetic predisposition to certain diseases.
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B. A patient’s access to healthy food options.
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C. A patient’s individual lifestyle choices.
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D. A patient’s compliance with medical treatment.
Answer: B
Rationale: Social determinants of health are external factors that influence health outcomes, including access to healthy food, safe housing, quality education, and economic stability. A patient’s access to healthy food is a social determinant.
A nurse is working in a community clinic that serves a diverse patient population. Which strategy would be in promoting culturally competent care?
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A. Treating all patients the same way regardless of their cultural background.
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B. Using standardized assessment tools for all patients.
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C. Developing a one-size-fits-all approach to healthcare education.
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D. Continuously learning about the cultural beliefs and practices of the community.
Answer: D
Rationale: Continuously learning about the community’s cultural beliefs and practices is the most effective strategy for promoting cultural competence. It allows the nurse to adapt care to the specific needs of the population.
