(Answered) NR 305 Week 6 Discussion: Providing Culturally Competent Nursing Care

NR 305 Week 6 Discussion

This week you have your choice of three discussion topics! Select the one that most interests you and answer the corresponding questions completely.

Remember to reference both the book or lesson, and an outside scholarly source.

Option #1:

You are the nurse assessing an Orthodox Jewish client with peptic ulcer. The client is strictly religious and refuses to eat the food provided at the health care facility.

1. Describe how you would further assess and provide care for this client.
2. What steps could you take to increase your cultural competence, if you were not familiar with this faith?

Option #2:

You are the nurse caring for a client with Crohn’s disease. The client believes he is being punished by God. The client is spiritually distressed and cannot come to terms with the illness.

1. How would you respond to this client?
2. What are some identified risk factors for spiritual distress, and recommended interventions?

Option #3:

Describe a time in your clinical nursing practice when you have cared for a client of cultural, religious, or spiritual practices different from your own.

1. What were some of the challenges you faced caring for this client?
2. What steps did you take (or could you have taken) to ensure the patient received culturally/spiritually competent care?

NR 305 Week 6 Discussion Answer

#Option 3

As a person of Christian faith, I once had the privilege of caring for a Muslim patient, a 62-year-old gentleman grappling with type 2 diabetes. The encounter took place during the holy month of Ramadan, a period marked by fasting from dawn to sunset as a religious practice. Despite his dedication to observing the fast, the patient faced a health crisis—specifically, a hyperglycemic attack—likely stemming from the extended fasting hours and the consumption of a substantial meal after sunset. This critical situation necessitated urgent intervention, leading to his admission to the emergency unit.NR 305 Week 6 Discussion

Upon delving into the patient’s medical history, it became evident that he had received a diabetes diagnosis, indicated by A1C levels of 8.1%, a mere two months prior to this incident. Remarkably, diligent adherence to prescribed medication and lifestyle modifications had resulted in a notable improvement, bringing his blood sugar levels down to 6.8%. However, a misconception had taken root in the patient’s mind – the assumption that maintaining a relatively stable blood sugar level provided license to deviate from the recommended medical regimen.NR 305 Week 6 Discussion

This case underscores the importance of cultural sensitivity and religious awareness in healthcare settings. While respecting and accommodating a patient’s religious practices, it is equally crucial to ensure clear communication regarding the implications of medical decisions on their health. Such instances emphasize the need for healthcare providers to foster an open dialogue with patients, facilitating a shared understanding that aligns medical recommendations with religious beliefs and practices (Orr & Taylor, 2017). This approach contributes to a more collaborative and effective healthcare experience, bridging gaps between faith-based practices and medical interventions.