Giddens Concept 4: Culture
1. The nurse is caring for an older Chinese adult male who is grimacing and
appears restless after abdominal surgery. What is the nurse's best action?
a.
Ask the patient if he is anxious about his hospital stay.
b.
Ask a translator to conduct a FACES pain scale assessment.
c.
Ask the patient about pain and assess vital signs.
d.
Ask the patient about any history of depression or anxiety.: ANS: C
In the Chinese culture, elderly Chinese people believe that they must be stoic about
pain and there is a stigma about talking about any mental health problems. The
nurse should ask the patient about pain and also assess vital signs for physiological
signs of pain, since the patient may not admit to any pain. Assuming the patient is
depressed or anxious is not the best action when considering individual cultural
differences and the risk of pain after major surgery. The registered nurse should
never delegate assessment to any unlicensed member of the healthcare team such
as a translator. The translator may assist with communication, but the nurse is
responsible for the pain assessment.
2. Understanding cultural differences in health care is important because it
will help the nurse to understand the manner in which people decide on
obtaining treatments and medical care. In independent cultures an
individual will
a.
put himself first.
b.
consult family members for advice.
c.
ask for a second opinion.
d. travel great distances to receive the best care.:
ANS: A
In independent cultures, an individual will put himself first in the case of a life-
threatening illness, whereas even in dire circumstances, members of collectivist
cultures may still consult other family members for the best course of action. In
independent cultures, an individual will not consult with other family members, ask
for a second opinion, or travel great distances to receive the best care.
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1. The nurse is caring for an older Chinese adult male who is grimacing and
appears restless after abdominal surgery. What is the nurse's best action?
a.
Ask the patient if he is anxious about his hospital stay.
b.
Ask a translator to conduct a FACES pain scale assessment.
c.
Ask the patient about pain and assess vital signs.
d.
Ask the patient about any history of depression or anxiety.: ANS: C
In the Chinese culture, elderly Chinese people believe that they must be stoic about
pain and there is a stigma about talking about any mental health problems. The
nurse should ask the patient about pain and also assess vital signs for physiological
signs of pain, since the patient may not admit to any pain. Assuming the patient is
depressed or anxious is not the best action when considering individual cultural
differences and the risk of pain after major surgery. The registered nurse should
never delegate assessment to any unlicensed member of the healthcare team such
as a translator. The translator may assist with communication, but the nurse is
responsible for the pain assessment.
2. Understanding cultural differences in health care is important because it
will help the nurse to understand the manner in which people decide on
obtaining treatments and medical care. In independent cultures an
individual will
a.
put himself first.
b.
consult family members for advice.
c.
ask for a second opinion.
d. travel great distances to receive the best care.:
ANS: A
In independent cultures, an individual will put himself first in the case of a life-
threatening illness, whereas even in dire circumstances, members of collectivist
cultures may still consult other family members for the best course of action. In
independent cultures, an individual will not consult with other family members, ask
for a second opinion, or travel great distances to receive the best care.
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