A nurse wants to have a better understanding of the physiological effects of selected chemicals. Which of the following individuals would provide the most useful information to the nurse?

A. Explain that the process of postpartum recovery does not require this much rest and require that she provide infant care. This disregards cultural norms and imposes a Western view of postpartum care, which is not culturally competent.

B. Reinforce the importance of bonding and that all good mothers gladly assume these responsibilities. This is judgmental and does not acknowledge that bonding can occur in different ways, including through family support.

C. State that she must abide by hospital policy because documentation of the mother's ability to give the infant care is required for discharge. This approach is rigid and does not consider the patient's cultural background or alternative ways to assess knowledge.

D. Allow family members to provide the newborn's care and assess the mother's knowledge of child care through discussion. Cultural competence involves respecting diverse traditions and practices while ensuring safe patient care. In many cultures, postpartum care emphasizes maternal rest while family members care for the newborn. The nurse should assess the mother's knowledge without forcing her into an unfamiliar practice.

A. Imposition: Cultural imposition refers to forcing one’s own beliefs on another person, which is not the case here.

B. Brokering: Cultural brokering involves mediating between the patient and the healthcare system, which is not applicable in this scenario.

C. Awareness: Awareness means recognizing cultural differences but does not involve taking action, as demonstrated in this case.

D. Accommodation: Cultural accommodation involves making adjustments to support a patient's cultural practices without causing harm to others. By repositioning the bed, the nurse respects the patient’s religious beliefs and enhances comfort.