Chapter 15 Culture & Ethnicity

Chapter 15  Culture & Ethnicity

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. A 26-year-old man of Mexican heritage is admitted for observation after sustaining injuries in a motor vehicle accident. When assessing this patient, the nurse must consider that he may possess which view of pain? He may:
a)
Believe in taboos against narcotic use to relieve pain
b)
Expect immediate and effective treatment to relieve pain
c)
Endure pain longer and report it less frequently than some patients do
d)
Use herbal teas, heat application, and prayers to manage his pain

ANS: C
In general, patients of Mexican heritage may endure pain longer and report it less frequently than will some other patients. Patients of Japanese heritage may have taboos against narcotic use to relieve pain. Patients of Puerto Rican heritage may use herbal teas, heat application, and prayers to manage pain. Remember that all of these are archetypes, and are not necessarily true for all members of a cultural group.

Difficulty: Difficult
NursingPprocess: Assessment
Client Need: PHSI
Cognitive Level: Application

PTS: 1

2. Which of the following is considered a “practice” (as opposed to a belief or value)?
a)
Always drinking water after exercise
b)
Thinking often about cleanliness
c)
Placing an emphasis on success
d)
Maintaining youth

ANS: A
A practice is a set of behaviors that one follows, such as always drinking water after exercise. Being preoccupied with cleanliness, placing an emphasis on success, and maintaining youth are examples of values that are dominant in U.S. culture.

Difficulty: Easy
Client Need: PSI
Cognitive Level: Comprehension

PTS: 1

3. The nurse is caring for a patient who emigrated from Puerto Rico. She can best care for this patient by learning about the:
a)
Practices of the patient’s ethnic group
b)
Patient’s individual cultural beliefs
c)
Values of her own culture
d)
Spanish-speaking community

ANS: B
The nurse cares for this patient by becoming familiar with the patient’s individual cultural and ethnic beliefs and values. It is helpful to become familiar with the patient’s ethnic group and the Spanish-speaking community; however, the nurse should not assume that the individual holds the same values, beliefs, and practices as his ethnic group or community. The nurse should explore her own culture but not assume that the patient holds those same beliefs and practices.

Difficulty: Moderate
Nursing Process: Planning
Client Need: PSI
Cognitive Level: Application

PTS: 1

4. The nurse is teaching a clinic patient about hypertension. Which statement by the patient suggests that he is present-oriented?
a)
“I know I need to lose weight; I’ll have to begin an exercise program right away.”
b)
“If I change my diet and begin exercising, maybe I can control my blood pressure without medications.”
c)
“I know I need to give up foods that contain a lot of salt, but with teenagers in the house it is very difficult.”
d)
“I will reduce the amount of calories, salt, and fat that I eat; I certainly do not want to have a stroke.”

ANS: C
Knowing an action is needed, but giving reasons for not beginning it “just now” shows a focus on the present. The patient knows that he should reduce his sodium intake, but his present situation is preventing him from doing so. Therefore, he is disregarding the impact consuming sodium might have on his future. The other responses are future-oriented because they indicate that the patient is planning lifestyle changes that will affect his future.

Difficulty: Difficult
Nursing Process: Assessment
Client Need: PHSI
Cognitive Level: Analysis

PTS: 1

5. A patient of Japanese heritage avoids asking for narcotics for pain relief. The nurse writes a nursing diagnosis of Pain related to reluctance to take medication secondary to cultural beliefs. If the cultural archetype is true for this particular patient, this probably means that the patient views pain as:
a)
A punishment for immoral behavior
b)
An expected, normal part of life
c)
Best treated with herbal teas and prayer
d)
A virtue and a matter of family honor

ANS: D
Patients of Japanese heritage may view pain as a virtue and a matter of family honor. They may be more accepting of pain medications if the nurse reassures them that pain control enhances healing. Patients of Mexican heritage may view pain as punishment for immoral behavior. Those of Navajo Indian heritage commonly view pain as a part of life, whereas those of Puerto Rican heritage may feel that pain is best treated with herbal teas and prayer. Keep in mind that these are all archetypes and do not necessarily apply to all members of a cultural group.

Difficulty: Moderate
Nursing Process: Diagnosis
Client Need: PSI
Cognitive Level: Comprehension

PTS: 1