Culture and Spirituality Lecture Review

These 55 question-and-answer flashcards review the essential concepts of culture, cultural competence, health disparities, spirituality, and spiritual care from the lecture.

What is the definition of cultural diversity?

The coexistence of different ethnic, sex, racial, socioeconomic, religious, and other groups within one social unit.

Name at least three dimensions that can contribute to cultural diversity.

Religion, physical size/age/gender, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic or occupational status, and geographical location.

Why is delivering culturally respectful care critical in health care?

It reduces health disparities and improves access to high-quality care by being responsive to diverse health beliefs, practices, and needs.

How does the National Institutes of Health (NIH) define culture?

A body of knowledge, belief, and behavior shared by a group.

What is the primary means by which culture is transmitted from one generation to the next?

Language.

How does culture influence acceptable behavior?

It shapes what a group perceives as normal, defines roles, and guides interactions within families and communities.

Define a subculture.

A large group within a wider culture whose members share certain ethnic, occupational, or physical characteristics not common to the larger culture.

In sociological terms, what distinguishes a dominant group from a minority group?

The dominant group has the authority to control societal values and sanctions, whereas the minority is identified by physical or cultural differences.

What is cultural assimilation (acculturation)?

When minorities living in a dominant culture lose their unique traits and adopt the dominant group’s values.

What is culture shock?

The psychological discomfort someone feels when suddenly placed in an unfamiliar culture.

How is ethnicity defined?

A sense of identification with a collective cultural group based on common heritage.

How may someone become part of an ethnic group?

Through birth or adoption of that group’s characteristics and behaviors.

On what physical traits is the concept of race traditionally based?

Skin pigmentation, body stature, facial features, and hair texture.

List the five major race classifications used in the U.S.

American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, and White.

What is stereotyping?

Assuming all members of a cultural or ethnic group act alike.

Give two negative forms of stereotyping.

Racism and sexism (ageism is also acceptable).

Define cultural imposition.

Believing everyone should conform to your own or the majority’s belief system.

What is cultural blindness?

Ignoring cultural differences and acting as if they do not exist.

Describe cultural conflict.

Recognizing cultural differences but feeling threatened and responding by ridiculing those differences.

Name four cultural influences that nurses must consider in health care.

Physiologic variations, reactions to pain, language and communication, and family support (others include mental health, sex roles, space/time, food, socioeconomic factors).

Give one example of a culture-related physiologic variation.

Higher incidence of sickle cell anemia in African Americans or lactose intolerance in Hispanics.

What key nursing principle applies to pain across cultures?

Never assume a silent patient is pain free; assess verbal and non-verbal cues because pain is what the patient says it is.

How can cultural norms affect mental-health assessment?

Different ethnic groups have their own acceptable behaviors for psychological well-being, so norms based only on white, middle-class observations may not apply.

Why must nurses know who is dominant in a family unit?

In male-dominant cultures, women may be passive; knowing the decision-maker helps meet patient needs effectively.

Why are qualified medical interpreters preferred over family members?

Family may protect the patient or misunderstand medical information, compromising accuracy and confidentiality.

How might eye contact differ among cultures?

While common in American culture, direct eye contact may be considered disrespectful or aggressive in other cultures.

What is the cultural significance of personal space?

Each culture sets its own boundaries; intrusion can cause discomfort or distress.

How can orientation to time vary culturally?

Some cultures value punctuality; others focus on present or past events rather than future schedules.

Why must diet teaching be individualized culturally?

Food preferences and preparation methods are culture bound, affecting acceptance and nutrition.

How can extended family support impact care planning?

Some cultures rely heavily on large families, affecting decision-making and privacy issues.

What percentage of the U.S. population lived below the poverty line in 2023, and which groups had the lowest incomes?

11.6%; lowest incomes were among African Americans, Native Americans, and Alaska Natives.

List two common traits of poverty culture.

Feelings of despair and a day-to-day attitude with little hope for the future (also unemployment, unstable family structure, decline in self-respect).

How do some cultures classify illness as natural or unnatural?

Natural illnesses are due to dangerous agents; unnatural result from breaking God’s rules, evil forces, or witchcraft.

Why might some patients prefer folk healers over health professionals?

Healing is believed to be a gift from God, and traditional healers align with cultural beliefs.

Provide one key component of cultural competence.

Developing awareness of one’s own cultural beliefs and biases.

What is the first question to ask when caring for someone from another culture?

"How would you like to be treated based on your values and beliefs?"

Name one guideline for providing culturally competent nursing care.

Develop cultural self-awareness.

Define health disparity.

A health difference linked to social, economic, or environmental disadvantage leading to different outcomes.

What is health equity?

Attaining the highest possible level of health for all people.

Identify three vulnerable populations.

Racial/ethnic minorities, people living in poverty, and older adults (others: women, children, rural residents, disabled).

What are the three universal spiritual needs identified by Shelly & Fish?

Need for meaning and purpose, need for love and relatedness, and need for forgiveness.

In the integrated approach to spirituality, how is the spiritual dimension viewed?

As one of four equal dimensions (physiological, psychological, sociological, spiritual).

Give one way nurses can help meet a patient’s spiritual needs.

Offer a compassionate presence.

Define spirituality.

A person’s relationship with a nonmaterial life force or higher power that gives life meaning and purpose.

What is faith?

A confident belief in something without proof, often followed by action and sometimes referring to organized religion.

How is religion different from spirituality?

Religion is an organized system of beliefs, worship practices, and codes of conduct about a higher power.

Why should nurses not assume patients’ religious practices?

Individual beliefs vary within faiths, and some patients may be spiritual without belonging to an organized religion.

In spiritual care, what is hope?

The ingredient that fosters a positive outlook on life and outcomes.

Name two factors that influence a person’s spirituality.

Family upbringing and life events (also developmental stage, ethnic background, formal religion).

List two nursing diagnoses related to spiritual health.

Hopelessness and Spiritual Distress.

What is meant by offering a "supportive or healing presence"?

Being genuinely available, respectful, and attentive to convey value and sincerity to the patient.

What is an important guideline for praying with patients?

Prayer should be patient-driven and should never block open communication.

How should a room be prepared for a spiritual counselor’s visit?

Keep it orderly, provide a chair near the bed, clear and cover the bedside table with a white cloth, and close curtains if needed.

Give one measurable goal for a patient experiencing spiritual distress.

The patient will identify spiritual supports or report decreased spiritual distress after intervention.

What ethical boundary must nurses observe regarding patients’ religion?

They should not attempt to convert patients to their own faith.