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Cultural Competence in End-of-Life Care
Cultural Competence in End-of-Life Care ( 4 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client who is terminally ill and has expressed a wish to die at home. The client's family members are reluctant to honor this wish, as they are concerned about the quality of care and the emotional burden. What is the best action for the nurse to take in this situation?
Respect the client's autonomy and arrange for hospice care at home. - This option may be appropriate if the client's wish is consistent with their cultural and religious beliefs, and if the family members are supportive or agreeable. However, this option does not address the potential conflict or misunderstanding between the client and the family, nor does it consider their emotional needs.
Educate the family members about the benefits of palliative care in a hospital setting. - This option may be informative, but it may also be perceived as dismissive or insensitive to the client's wish or to the family's concerns. The nurse should not assume that palliative care in a hospital setting is superior or preferable to home care, as this may depend on various factors, including cultural and religious beliefs.
Encourage the family members to discuss their feelings and concerns with the client. - This option may be helpful, but it may also be premature or inappropriate if the nurse has not explored the cultural and religious beliefs of the client and the family first. The nurse should not assume that direct communication is always desirable or acceptable, as some cultures may value indirect or nonverbal communication, or may defer to elders or authorities in decision-making.
The nurse should explore the cultural and religious beliefs of the client and the family members regarding end-of-life care, as these may influence their preferences and expectations. The nurse should also respect the client's autonomy and dignity, but also acknowledge the family's role and involvement in decision-making. The nurse should facilitate open communication and provide information and support to both the client and the family, while avoiding imposing their own values or judgments.
Rationale: The nurse should explore the cultural and religious beliefs of the client and the family members regarding end-of-life care, as these may influence their preferences and expectations. The nurse should also respect the client's autonomy and dignity, but also acknowledge the family's role and involvement in decision-making. The nurse should facilitate open communication and provide information and support to both the client and the family, while avoiding imposing their own values or judgments.
Incorrect options:
A) Respect the client's autonomy and arrange for hospice care at home. - This option may be appropriate if the client's wish is consistent with their cultural and religious beliefs, and if the family members are supportive or agreeable. However, this option does not address the potential conflict or misunderstanding between the client and the family, nor does it consider their emotional needs.
B) Educate the family members about the benefits of palliative care in a hospital setting. - This option may be informative, but it may also be perceived as dismissive or insensitive to the client's wish or to the family's concerns. The nurse should not assume that palliative care in a hospital setting is superior or preferable to home care, as this may depend on various factors, including cultural and religious beliefs.
C) Encourage the family members to discuss their feelings and concerns with the client. - This option may be helpful, but it may also be premature or inappropriate if the nurse has not explored the cultural and religious beliefs of the client and the family first. The nurse should not assume that direct communication is always desirable or acceptable, as some cultures may value indirect or nonverbal communication, or may defer to elders or authorities in decision-making.