Exam 2: Cultural Competence: Cultural Care

Correct Answer:

Verified

Although it is impossible for a health care professional in a multicultural country such as the United States, with such a large and diverse representation of various cultural and ethnic groups, to be knowledgeable about the beliefs and practices of each patient assigned for care, the health care professional can accept that differences exist and can be open to the importance of these practices to the patient.
The meaning of health and illness to the patient is, in part, determined by the way in which members of his or her cultural group defines them. The perceived causes of illness and symptoms can be culturally based and may be viewed as biomedical (or scientific), naturalistic (or holistic), or magicoreligious. All cultures have their own preferred lay or popular healers, recognized symptoms of disease, acceptable sick-role behavior, and treatments. Patients may seek help from biomedical or scientific health professions and traditional healers. It is important to be aware of the existence of traditional folk practices and to include this as part of the assessment.

Correct Answer:

Verified

In times of illness, religion and spirituality may be a source of comfort for patients and their significant others. Religion and spiritual leaders may exert considerable influence on perception of health, illness, and practices. Religious beliefs may influence the person's explanation of the cause of illness, perception of its severity, and choice of healers. Spirituality may be used to find meaning and purpose for illnesses. Data regarding the patient's religious affiliation and spiritual beliefs should be gathered.

Correct Answer:

Verified

Heritage consistency is the degree to which a person's lifestyle reflects his or her own traditional heritage. The values indicating heritage consistency exist on a continuum. The person can possess value characteristics that are consistent with the norms of the traditional culture (traditional); or the person can possess value characteristics that are acculturated to the norms of the dominant (not traditional) society-known as modern. The concept of heritage consistency includes determination of a person's cultural, ethnic, and religious background, as well as his or her socialization experience.