NURS 110: Cultural Competence and Patient-Centered Care
Comprehensive Exam (2026/2027) 2026 |WCU
1. Which component of Campinha-Bacote’s model is described as the ‘pivotal’
construct that provides the energy source for the journey toward cultural
competence?
A. Cultural Awareness
B. Cultural Skill
C. Cultural Desire
D. Cultural Encounters
Answer: C
Rationale: Cultural desire is the motivation of the nurse to want to, rather than have to,
engage in the process of becoming culturally competent.
2. A nurse is using the LEARN model to improve communication. What does the
‘A’ represent in this mnemonic?
A. Acknowledge and discuss differences and similarities
B. Analyze the cultural data
C. Assess the patient’s literacy level
D. Advise the patient on medical protocols
Answer: A
Rationale: In the LEARN model, ‘A’ stands for Acknowledge, where the nurse
acknowledges both the similarities and differences between the patient’s perceptions and
the medical perspective.
,3. Which situation best illustrates the concept of ‘Ethnocentrism’ in a clinical
setting?
A. A nurse believes that Western medical practices are the only valid way to treat illness.
B. A nurse learns key phrases in a patient’s native language.
C. A nurse adapts a meal plan to include culturally preferred foods.
D. A nurse requests a professional interpreter for a non-English speaking patient.
Answer: A
Rationale: Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s own culture or way of life is superior to
others, often leading to the dismissal of other cultural perspectives.
4. According to the National CLAS Standards, what is the preferred method for
communicating with a patient who has limited English proficiency (LEP)?
A. Using a qualified medical interpreter
B. Using a bilingual staff member who is not a certified interpreter
C. Using the patient’s bilingual adult child
D. Speaking slowly and loudly in English
Answer: A
Rationale: CLAS standards mandate the use of qualified medical interpreters to ensure
accuracy and patient safety; using family members or untrained staff is discouraged.
5. A nurse recognizes that a patient’s health is influenced by their
neighborhood, education, and economic stability. These factors are known as:
A. Cultural Encounters
B. Social Determinants of Health
C. Biological Variations
D. Personal Belief Systems
Answer: B
Rationale: Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are the conditions in which people are
born, grow, live, work, and age that shape health outcomes.
, 6. When a nurse performs a cultural self-assessment, what is the primary goal?
A. To memorize specific customs of various ethnic groups
B. To fulfill the hospital’s annual continuing education requirement
C. To identify personal biases and prejudices that may affect care
D. To determine which cultures are easiest to work with
Answer: C
Rationale: Self-assessment is critical to identifying internal biases, which is the first step in
avoiding the imposition of those biases on patients.
7. Which of the following is a key attribute of Patient-Centered Care as defined
by the IOM (now the National Academy of Medicine)?
A. Providing the most advanced technology regardless of cost
B. Standardizing care plans for all patients with the same diagnosis
C. Allowing physicians to make all final decisions for the patient
D. Respecting and responding to individual patient preferences and values
Answer: D
Rationale: Patient-centered care ensures that patient values guide all clinical decisions.
8. Which action by the nurse demonstrates ‘Cultural Humility’?
A. Assuming all Hispanic patients have large families
B. Telling a patient their traditional medicine is dangerous without research
C. Believing that a single seminar makes one an expert in a culture
D. Asking a patient, ‘Can you tell me more about how you view your illness?’
Answer: D
Rationale: Cultural humility involves a lifelong commitment to self-reflection and learning
from patients as partners and experts of their own experiences.
Comprehensive Exam (2026/2027) 2026 |WCU
1. Which component of Campinha-Bacote’s model is described as the ‘pivotal’
construct that provides the energy source for the journey toward cultural
competence?
A. Cultural Awareness
B. Cultural Skill
C. Cultural Desire
D. Cultural Encounters
Answer: C
Rationale: Cultural desire is the motivation of the nurse to want to, rather than have to,
engage in the process of becoming culturally competent.
2. A nurse is using the LEARN model to improve communication. What does the
‘A’ represent in this mnemonic?
A. Acknowledge and discuss differences and similarities
B. Analyze the cultural data
C. Assess the patient’s literacy level
D. Advise the patient on medical protocols
Answer: A
Rationale: In the LEARN model, ‘A’ stands for Acknowledge, where the nurse
acknowledges both the similarities and differences between the patient’s perceptions and
the medical perspective.
,3. Which situation best illustrates the concept of ‘Ethnocentrism’ in a clinical
setting?
A. A nurse believes that Western medical practices are the only valid way to treat illness.
B. A nurse learns key phrases in a patient’s native language.
C. A nurse adapts a meal plan to include culturally preferred foods.
D. A nurse requests a professional interpreter for a non-English speaking patient.
Answer: A
Rationale: Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s own culture or way of life is superior to
others, often leading to the dismissal of other cultural perspectives.
4. According to the National CLAS Standards, what is the preferred method for
communicating with a patient who has limited English proficiency (LEP)?
A. Using a qualified medical interpreter
B. Using a bilingual staff member who is not a certified interpreter
C. Using the patient’s bilingual adult child
D. Speaking slowly and loudly in English
Answer: A
Rationale: CLAS standards mandate the use of qualified medical interpreters to ensure
accuracy and patient safety; using family members or untrained staff is discouraged.
5. A nurse recognizes that a patient’s health is influenced by their
neighborhood, education, and economic stability. These factors are known as:
A. Cultural Encounters
B. Social Determinants of Health
C. Biological Variations
D. Personal Belief Systems
Answer: B
Rationale: Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are the conditions in which people are
born, grow, live, work, and age that shape health outcomes.
, 6. When a nurse performs a cultural self-assessment, what is the primary goal?
A. To memorize specific customs of various ethnic groups
B. To fulfill the hospital’s annual continuing education requirement
C. To identify personal biases and prejudices that may affect care
D. To determine which cultures are easiest to work with
Answer: C
Rationale: Self-assessment is critical to identifying internal biases, which is the first step in
avoiding the imposition of those biases on patients.
7. Which of the following is a key attribute of Patient-Centered Care as defined
by the IOM (now the National Academy of Medicine)?
A. Providing the most advanced technology regardless of cost
B. Standardizing care plans for all patients with the same diagnosis
C. Allowing physicians to make all final decisions for the patient
D. Respecting and responding to individual patient preferences and values
Answer: D
Rationale: Patient-centered care ensures that patient values guide all clinical decisions.
8. Which action by the nurse demonstrates ‘Cultural Humility’?
A. Assuming all Hispanic patients have large families
B. Telling a patient their traditional medicine is dangerous without research
C. Believing that a single seminar makes one an expert in a culture
D. Asking a patient, ‘Can you tell me more about how you view your illness?’
Answer: D
Rationale: Cultural humility involves a lifelong commitment to self-reflection and learning
from patients as partners and experts of their own experiences.
