Cultural Assessment Notes Chapter 2
Advent Health University NURS 225: Cultural Assessment Notes
Cultural Awareness
Importance of Cultural Awareness
Increases understanding of cultural diversity.
Requires self-awareness and knowledge about one’s own culture.
Awareness is an ongoing and interactive process for health care professionals.
Performing a cultural self-assessment is vital for achieving cultural competence.
Cultural Assessment
Key Components of Cultural Assessment
Conduct interviews to gather information on:
Primary language and preferred name of clients.
Health practices including any alternative medicine usage.
Family roles and structure.
Nutritional habits and preferences.
Views on childbirth and reproductive health practices.
Attitudes toward death and dying.
Preferred healthcare providers and experiences with them.
Religion and Spirituality
Spirituality
Defined as a broader term that encompasses beliefs about existence larger than oneself, often including beliefs in transcendence.
Religion
Refers to an organized system of beliefs shared with others to meet spiritual needs.
Key Difference
Spirituality and religion can be interrelated but do not necessarily exist simultaneously; individuals define their own beliefs and feelings.
Spiritual Assessment
Key Questions for Spiritual Assessment
"Do you have any religious or spiritual preferences we can support?"
Explore core values important to the client.
FICA Tool
A structured tool used for assessing spirituality, guiding discussions around Faith, Importance, Community, and Address in care planning.
Case Study: Recognizing Cues
Overview of the Case
The case involves a 68-year-old Vietnamese woman who is a client with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF).
She was recently discharged from the hospital and has a productive cough; blood pressure measured at 160/80, heart rate at 76, respiration rate at 20, and an oxygen saturation of 94%.
The patient speaks very little English, with her daughter as an interpreter.
Clinical Findings During Assessment
Noticeable: elevated blood pressure, productive cough, and +2 edema in bilateral lower extremities.
Lung sounds reveal scattered rhonchi that clear with cough.
The client denies experiencing pain.
Initial Question
What is the likely cause of elevated blood pressure, edema, and rhonchi based on daughter’s input regarding the mother's preference for herbal remedies over prescribed medications?
Answer and Rationale for Case Study
Likely Cause
The preference for herbal remedies over prescribed medications is likely causing the clinical symptoms (elevated blood pressure, edema, and rhonchi).
Rationale
Cultural variations impact how symptoms and conditions are perceived and treated. Some Asian cultures may attribute illness to imbalances in "yin and yang" and prefer treatments like herbal remedies, acupuncture, or other traditional practices.
Interventions for Client Care
Recommended Interventions
Conduct a health beliefs and practices assessment to identify current rituals and remedies, including frequencies of their use.
Assess understanding of prescribed medications by the client.
Rationale for Interventions
Knowledge of home remedies is crucial as they may interfere with prescribed medications. Understanding the client's beliefs regarding treatment helps in creating a culturally sensitive plan of care.
Steps for Cultural Competence
Steps to Achieve Cultural Competence
Understand one’s own cultural heritage, including beliefs and values surrounding health and illness.
Identify how different individuals and groups define health and illness.
Gain knowledge about the health care delivery system and its cultural implications.
Be aware of the diverse social backgrounds of clients.
Familiarize oneself with the languages spoken by clients and seek resources for interpretation if needed.
Rationale
Self-awareness aids in understanding and respecting other cultures, assisting in customization of care that meets individual client needs thereby improving adherence to health regimens.
Client-Centered Care and Acceptance
Interventions for Acceptance of Health Beliefs
Ensure access to interpretation services for clients with limited English proficiency.
Provide written materials in both English and clients’ preferred languages for better understanding.
Document assessments related to client heritage clearly in medical records.
Educate clients in layman’s terms to ensure comprehension, especially regarding prescribed medications.
Research herbal remedies used by the client to evaluate their potential benefits and risks, and adjust care plans accordingly.
Rationale for Interventions
Respecting clients' rights to understand their care enhances trust and compliance. Documenting accurately facilitates effective communication with other health professionals and prevents repetition of information. A willingness to adapt to clients' belief systems ensures more client-centered and compliant care practices.