Author Question: A nurse is caring for a refugee patient who wants the community shaman to perform a healing ritual ... (Read 77 times)

anjilletteb · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A nurse is caring for a refugee patient who wants the community shaman to perform a healing ritual at the bedside. What action by the nurse is best?

a. Work with the patient to allow the shaman to perform the ritual.
b. Investigate whether the ritual will harm the patient.
c. Check to see if the ritual breaks laws or policies.
d. Offer to call the hospital chaplain instead.

Question 2

What does the nursing student learn about race?

a. It is biologically based.
b. It is a social construct.
c. It is chosen by the person.
d. It helps establish superiority.

aprice35067 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Rituals are deeply powerful and have great meaning for individuals who practice them. The nurse should work with the patient to facilitate the ritual. Investigating the ritual for patient harm or illegality is ethnocentric; the nurse's first thoughts should not be on the potential negative aspects of a deeply meaningful activity. The patient has not requested the chaplain; offering to call the chaplain shows ethnocentrism and lack of respect for the patient. While working to facilitate the ritual, the nurse will discover if any aspect of it might be problematic and can collaborate with the patient and shaman to resolve the situation (e.g., if lighted candles are needed but prohibited by policy and fire code).

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Race is often thought to be inherited and biologically based, but this is not true. Race is a social construct that is used to group people together on the basis of common physical characteristics, heredity, or common descent. People are placed into racial categories by the larger society. One race is not superior to any other.