spirituality

Question 1

spirituality

Answer 1

• awareness of one’s inner self and sense of connection to a higher being, nature, or some purpose greater than oneself
• comes from the latin word spiritus: breath or wind
• nursing = spiritual work

Question 2

spirit

Answer 2

• That which gives life to physical organisms
• Gives energy needed to discover themselves, cope with difficult situations, maintain health
• Enables a person to love, have faith and hope, seek meaning in life, nurture relationships with others
• Illness, loss, grief, pain can deplete energy

Question 3

spiritual dimension

Answer 3

• strives for inspiration, reverence, awe, meaning
• strives to be in harmony with the universe, strives
  for answers about
• Can provide inner
  strength and peace
• spirit needs meaning and purpose, forgiveness, love and trust, hope and creativity

Question 4

personal beliefs

Answer 4

• help a person maintain hope and get through difficult situations

Question 5

spiritual health

Answer 5

• dependent on balance of
  physical, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual factors

Question 6

what does research show about spirituality?

Answer 6

• positively affects and
  enhances physical and psychological health, quality of life, health promotion behaviors and disease prevention activities.

Question 7

what does spirituality focus on?

Answer 7

• an individual’s connection to a higher being, nature, or some purpose greater than oneself

Question 8

religion

Answer 8

• Organized, institution-related practice
• Associated with particular beliefs
• “State of doing”- a specific system of practices associated with a particular
  denomination, sect, or form of worship that a
  person practices outwardly to express spirituality

Question 9

transcendence

Answer 9

• belief that there is a force outside of themselves that is greater, beyond the material world
• ex: looking @ the grand canyon, watching a baby be born

Question 10

self-transcendence

Answer 10

• sense of authentically connecting to one’s inner self
• Ex: checking in w/ yourself

Question 11

faith

Answer 11

• allows firm beliefs despite lack of physical evidence
• belief in God, the wind
• feel the effects of it but we don’t see it

Question 12

hope

Answer 12

• energizing source that has an orientation to future goals and outcomes
• position of the heart

Question 13

meaning and purpose

Answer 13

• finding meaning and purpose in both positive and negative life events
• believing that there’s a reason why you are living

Question 14

inner strength & peace

Answer 14

◦Strength-source of energy helps people stay open to change and life challenges, provides confidence in decision making, and promotes connections with others, positive outlook on life – helps w/ perseverance
◦Peace-fosters calm, positive, and peaceful feelings despite life experiences of chaos, fear, and uncertainty

Question 15

connectedness

Answer 15

◦Intrapersonally: connected within oneself
◦Interpersonally: connected with others in the environment
◦Transpersonally: connected with God or an unseen higher power

Question 16

Factors Influencing
Spirituality – Acute Illness:

Answer 16

◦Sudden illness (heart attack, car accident)
◦Unanticipated scramble to integrate and cope with new reality (why am i going thru this)
◦Conflicts develop around beliefs and meaning of life
◦Anger common reaction (family, nurses, themselves, God) –> anger = usually internal
◦Often look for ways to remain faithful to their beliefs and value systems.

Question 17

Factors Influencing
Spirituality – Chronic Illness:

Answer 17

◦Threaten a person’s independence causing fear, anxiety, and spiritual
distress, powerlessness, loss of purpose, inability to cope
◦Successfully adapting to these changes strengthens a person’s spirituality
- 6 months or longer

Question 18

Factors Influencing
Spirituality – Terminal Illness:

Answer 18

◦Fear of pain, dependence, isolation, unknown, and dying
◦Review’s life and questions meaning. “Why is this happening to
me?, What have I done?”
◦Nurses help clients regain sense of control over their illness
- give them independence by giving choices about treatment, what they want to eat, etc

Question 19

Factors Influencing
Spirituality – Near-Death Experience

Answer 19

◦Close to death experience, see their
bodies rising above, feelings of total peace, pulled into dark tunnel, seeing bright lights, meeting people who preceded them in death
◦Transformational: positive or negative experience
◦Often no longer afraid of death, decreased desire to achieve wealth

Question 20

how does spirituality relate to nursing?

Answer 20

oNurses are ethically responsible for meeting the spiritual needs of the client – goes beyond praying for the pt or what religion you are
oAssessing spirituality extends beyond the client’s religious practices
oCaring for your client requires compassion, removing personal biases/misconceptions
oBe willing to share and discover the client’s purpose in life,
meaning, illness, and health oIdentify common values, respect unique commitments and values
(no blood products, fasting, etc), listen effectively (SURETY), communicate presence and touch when appropriate

Question 21

Role of the Nurse in
Spiritual Healing

Answer 21

• Helping patients resolve feelings of spiritual distress through discussion, active listening, communication (building rapport)
• Create a healing environment and maximize recovery by enhancing patient’s spiritual well-being. Turning on client’s favorite spiritual/relaxing music that helps them when experiencing a difficult time
• Nurses are in unique position to help patients reevaluate their lives and achieve spiritual health by remaining open, allowing them to express how they feel, support them as they share experiences
• Offer to pray or read scripture with clients
  *Be non-judgmental in your assessment, show respect for their spiritual beliefs.
• Offer to contact pastoral care/chaplain
  *Practice mindfulness activities such as stating positive affirmations, meditating, etc
• what have you done right in your life? What are you proud of? – helps w/ spirituality

Question 22

hinduism

Answer 22

• some sects are vegetarians
• belief is not to kill any living creature

Question 23

buddhism

Answer 23

• Some are vegetarians and do not drink alcohol
• Many fast on Holy Days

Question 24

islam

Answer 24

• Consumption of pork and alcohol is prohibited
• Followers fast during the month of Ramadan

Question 25

judaism

Answer 25

- Some observe kosher dietary restrictions (avoid pork and shellfish, do not prepare and eat milk and meat at the same time)

Question 26

christianity

Answer 26

- Some discourage the use of alcohol and caffeine. Some fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday - Some do not eat meat on Fridays during lent

Question 27

jehovah's witness

Answer 27

- Members avoid food prepared with or containing blood - Do not take blood products

Question 28

mormonism

Answer 28

- Members abstain from alcohol and caffeine

Question 29

russian orthodox church

Answer 29

- Fast eating “no meat” on Wednesdays and Fridays - During lent all animal products forbidden

Question 30

native americans

Answer 30

- Individual tribal beliefs influence food practices

Question 31

spirituality and healing

Answer 31

o Positively enhances health promotion o Impacts ability to cope with anxiety, stress, and depression o Integrative mind-body techniques: relaxation, guided imagery, mindfulness training, and music reduce perceptions of pain and anxiety o Person's inner beliefs are powerful resources for healing. Supporting spirituality of clients and families aids in them achieving their health outcomes

Question 32

Faith, Belief, Fellowship, and Community Assessment

Answer 32

◦ Who what or whom do you look as a source of strength, hope, or faith in times of difficulty? ◦ How does your faith help you cope? What can I do to support your religious beliefs or faith commitment? Would you like me to pray with you or perhaps read from the Koran or Bible?

Question 33

Vocation Assessment

Answer 33

◦ How has your illness affected the way you live your life spiritually at home or where you work? ◦ In what way has your illness affected your ability to express what is imp in life to you?

Question 34

Spirituality & Spiritual Health Assessment

Answer 34

◦ Which experiences in the past have been most difficult for you? ◦ What gives you hope during those difficult times? Which aspects of your spirituality have been most helpful to you? Which aspects of your spirituality would you like to discuss?

Question 35

Connectedness Assessment

Answer 35

◦ What feelings do you have after you pray or meditate? ◦ Who do you feel is the most important person in your life?

Question 36

Life Satisfaction Assessment

Answer 36

◦ Which accomplishments help you feel satisfied with your life? ◦ What is it that makes you feel dissatisfied? ◦ How happy are you with your life?

Question 37

Life and Self Responsibility Assessment

Answer 37

◦ How do you feel about the changes this illness has caused? ◦ How do these changes affect what you now need to do?

Question 38

Nursing Diagnosis

Answer 38

- Hopelessness - Powerlessness - Spiritual Distress: may not engage, may be withdrawn, suicidal

Question 39

planning: goals

Answer 39

* The client will improve personal harmony and connections with members of his or her support system * The client will express an acceptance of illness * The client reports the ability to rely on family for support * Client initiates social interactions with family and friends

Question 40

nursing interventions

Answer 40

o Establishing presence (sitting w/ them, allowing them to talk) o Supporting a healing relationship (what foods do they like, what makes them feel better) o Support systems: family, friends, clergy o Diet Therapies: comfort foods o Supporting Rituals (maybe it's helpful for them to do yoga or pray --> we wanna help them accomplish these things

Question 41

evaluation

Answer 41

- Ask the client how they feel after you have implemented interventions. o How did you feel after meditating, praying, talking, listening to music? o What did you learn about yourself while performing these activities? o If goals are not met, then re-evaluate, ask client what they felt would have helped them feel less anxious, more at peace, etc.