NSG 115 - Culturally Respectful Care Flashcards

Core Concepts of Culture and Society

  • Cultural Diversity: The coexistence of different ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups within one social unit, varying by religion, language, physical size, sexual orientation, disability, occupational status, and geographical location.

  • Culture: A shared system of beliefs, values, and behavioral expectations that provides social structure for daily living and influences roles and interactions.

  • Subculture: A large group of people who belong to a larger cultural group but possess distinct ethnic, occupational, or physical characteristics not common to the larger culture.

  • Dominant Group: The group in society (usually the largest) that holds the most authority to control societal values and sanctions.

  • Minority Group: A smaller group identified as different from the dominant group by physical or cultural characteristics.

Cultural Concepts and Identity

  • Cultural Assimilation (Acculturation): Occurs when minorities living within a dominant group lose the characteristics that made them different, replacing their values with those of the dominant culture.

  • Culture Shock: Psychological discomfort or disturbances experienced when placed in a different culture.

  • Ethnicity: Sense of identification with a collective cultural group, largely based on common heritage and developed through day-to-day life with family and friends.

  • Race: Categorization based on specific physical characteristics such as skin pigmentation, body stature, facial features, and hair texture. Physical traits are no longer considered a reliable way to determine race. The five major categories are:

    • American or Alaska Native

    • Asian

    • Black or African American

    • Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

    • White

Inhibitors of Cultural Sensitivity

  • Stereotyping

  • Implicit bias

  • Cultural imposition

  • Cultural Blindness: Occurs when people ignore differences in the cultures in which they live and proceed as if they do not exist.

  • Culture conflict

Cultural Influences on Health Care

  • Influencing Factors: Culture impacts physiologic variations, reactions to pain, mental health, assigned sex roles, language and communication, orientation to space and time, food and nutrition, family support, socioeconomic factors, and health disparities.

  • Belief Systems: Cultural, ethical, or religious groups shape values and beliefs regarding health, illness, traditional or folk healers, and treatment options.

Culturally Respectful Nursing Practice

  • Ethnocentrism: The belief that one's own ideas, beliefs, and practices are superior, best, or most preferred compared to those of others.

  • Cultural Humility: Recognition of diversity and power imbalances among individuals or communities, acting with openness, self-awareness, flexibility, respect, and formulating tailored responses.

  • Elements of Cultural Competence:

    • Developing self-awareness and knowledge of a patient's culture.

    • Accepting and respecting cultural differences without assuming shared values.

    • Resisting judgmental attitudes (such as viewing "different" as "not as good").

    • Remaining open to cultural encounters and taking personal responsibility for cultural competency.

  • Guidelines for Nursing Care:

    • Utilize transcultural nursing and conduct cultural assessments.

    • Understand culturally based belief systems regarding disease etiology, health, healing, and help-seeking attitudes.

    • Accommodate cultural practices, respect culturally based family roles, and seek cultural assistance when needed.