WHAT ARE THE METHODS A NURSE CAN USE TO GATHER CULTURAL INFORMATION FROM PATIENTS? NRS 429
WHAT ARE THE METHODS A NURSE CAN USE TO GATHER CULTURAL INFORMATION FROM PATIENTS? NRS 429
Topic 4 DQ 1
What are the methods a nurse can use to gather cultural information from patients? How does cultural competence relate to better patient care? Discuss the ways in which a nurse demonstrates cultural competency in nursing practice.
Does anyone have an example of how you have questioned patients regarding their culture? How is this done?
A method a nurse can use to gather cultural information from patients is using a culture assessment tool or questionnaire, examples are seminars , internet resources, workshop, and journal articles.
As mentioned previously, I am an O.R. nurse. Giving blood is very common in the my specialty of nursing. Also there are some cultures that do not participate in blood products. One of the questions on the consent is “Are you okay with us giving you blood products in an emergency situation?” and they have the option to circle do or do not and they initial. I never make them feel bad or judge them for what they choose to do.
Our hospital has it as part of their admission intake and its just asking if they have any cultural , spiritual or religious consideration they want as to keep in mind, then depending on their response it drops down follow up questions going to specifics.
I once had a patient from Potorico. He speaks spanish and English. I was able to get information regarding his culture through nurse patient interactions. During initial nursing assessments, he was uncomfortable disclosing certain information but as his care progressed and an inter personal relationship was built, he was very free to discuss his culture, his native food preference as well as ways in which marriage is contracted in his culture. In general I begin to understand that the much information you get from a patient is dependent on your interpersonal relationship with them as well as providing enabling environment
Some questions nurses can ask a patient regarding culture and how to ask them include:
Are there certain cultural courtesies we should practice when we come to visit you?
Are there things we might do that you would find offensive?
Could you please let us know if anything we do seems rude or offensive so we can fix it?
Are there special beliefs or customs you would like to keep related to this health problem?
Are there special herbs/ foods/treatments you have found helpful?
· Tajinder Singh
replied toCyndi Kelley
Oct 23, 2022, 12:45 AM
Our hospital uses the same tool as part of the admission questionair which specifiavally asks if the patient has any special spiritual or cultural requests and if they do have any I make sure to pass it along in report when the oncoming shift come to make things easier
· Kate Famularo
replied toCyndi Kelley
Oct 23, 2022, 3:33 PM
Our facility has a questionnaire tool we use upon admission. It asks if the patient has any cultural or spiritual requests or needs. This is very helpful to aid us in gearing our care towards a patient should they answer yes. When a patient answers yes, we are able to ask further questions in regards to their needs, being in Labor and Delivery we often have patients who have cultural requests that differ from what our standard of care is, I always try my best to accommodate their needs and learn what I can about their culture and beliefs.
Cyndi Kelley
Oct 20, 2022, 2:23 PM
With nursing be an ever-changing fluid job, what areas can we use to educate ourselves as well as our patients?
Alice Mititi
replied toCyndi Kelley
Oct 20, 2022, 6:06 PM
Greeting Dr Cyndi,
Nursing being a dynamic profession, so is the health care professional who should keep abreast of the changes. Areas that health care professionals can use to educate themselves and the patient is through updates on new information on evidence based practices so as to provide quality care for better patient outcomes. Another area is through the appreciation of different cultures and being culturally competent in their care. Finally nurses can learn effective communication skills to help collect right data from the patient and relay the right information back to the patient.
