Chapter 16 Spirituality

Chapter 16  Spirituality

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. Which statement made by the student nurse to a Jehovah’s Witness patient indicates a need for further learning?
a)
“I documented in your medical records that you do not want blood transfusions or blood products.”
b)
“I will decorate your room with holiday ornaments.”
c)
“Happy Birthday. I will have the dietary department send up a cake for you.”
d)
“The organ procurement (donation) center was notified that you did not want to donate an organ.”

ANS: C
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate birthdays or holidays, with the exception of the anniversary of Christ’s death. Thus, asking the dietary department to send up a birthday cake for celebration indicates that the nurse does not understand the Jehovah’s Witnesses beliefs and practices. The nurse is correct in noting that Jehovah’s Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions or products or donate their organs. Decorating the patient’s room for Christmas shows the nurse does not understand the patient’s religion.

Difficulty: Moderate
Client Need: PSI
Cognitive Level: Analysis

PTS: 1

2. A student nurse is preparing a Mormon female for surgery. Which statement made or question asked by the nurse indicates an understanding of the patient’s religious practices or beliefs?
a)
“This is a new gown. No one else has worn it.”
b)
“How would you like me to handle your undergarments?”
c)
“I will let your surgical team know that only females can touch you.”
d)
“Would you like me to pray with you?”

ANS: B
Both male and female Mormons wear special sacred undergarments that are removed only for hygiene, intimacy, and bathroom use. Nurses may also remove it before surgery, but it must be considered intensely private and be treated with respect. Rastafarian females will not wear second-hand clothes and require a gown that has not been worn by others. Muslim women prefer to be treated by female staff. Inquiring about prayer is inappropriate because the patient should initiate the request; further, prayer is not specific to this religion.

Difficulty: Moderate
Client Need: PSI
Cognitive Level: Application

PTS: 1

3. Which question is most important to ask of a newly admitted patient to effectively incorporate spiritual care in the nursing care plan?
a)
“What is your family’s religious background?”
b)
“With what organized religion are you affiliated?”
c)
“Do you go to church, and if so, how often?”
d)
“What are your personal spiritual beliefs?”

ANS: D
Identifying the patient’s personal spiritual belief will provide you with more information to incorporate into the plan of care. These beliefs may be associated with or independent of religious affiliations. Not all people of a religious group adhere to its norms, rituals, and/or practices; therefore, questions should extend beyond focusing only on the patient’s or his family’s religion.

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

PTS: 1

4. A female patient tells the charge nurse that she does not want a male nurse caring for her. Which intervention by the charge nurse is best?
a)
Explain that hospital policy does not allow nursing assignments based on the gender of the nurse.
b)
Explore with the patient her beliefs and determine which might have caused her to make this statement.
c)
Assure the patient that each nurse is capable of providing professional nursing care, regardless of gender.
d)
Comply with the patient’s request and assign a female nurse to care for the patient.

ANS: B
The nurse should explore reason behind the patient’s request, which may have implications for additional nursing needs. If the reason is religious or spiritual, this provides an optimal time to engage in spiritual care. Explaining hospital policy or reassuring the patient of the nurse’s competence does not help the nurse understand the primary reason for the request, nor promote patient trust. The same is true of simply complying with the patient’s request.

Difficulty: Moderate
Client Need: PSI
Cognitive Level: Application

PTS: 1

5. A patient of Orthodox Jewish faith is admitted to the hospital with heart failure on Yom Kippur. The physician prescribes digoxin 0.25 mg to be given orally for this patient. Based on the patient’s religious affiliation, which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a)
Administer the medication as prescribed.
b)
Hold the medication until after Yom Kippur.
c)
Explain the importance of taking the medication despite the holiday.
d)
Ask the physician to change the route of administration.

ANS: D
Yom Kippur is one of the holiest of the Jewish holidays. Self-denial includes abstaining from eating, drinking, bathing, and other rituals. Digoxin is not a non-kosher medication, so the most spiritually appropriate nursing intervention is to ask the provider to change the route of administration. The patient is in heart failure and needs the medication; thus, withholding the medication is not an option. Although the patient may understand the importance of the medication, it is not appropriate to create internal conflict between adhering to religious practices and complying with the medical regimen, when changing the route would address both concerns.

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

PTS: 1