The United States of America is sometimes referred to as a melting pot of cultures; though America does house a wide range of cultures, ethnicities and religions these things do not quite melt together as the saying implies. Culture is a concept that is exhibited by a group of people with similar values and includes thoughts, actions and beliefs among many other things. A person’s culture is learned as they grow. This process is not limited to childhood; culture can be learned at any time such as when moving to a different region, joining the workforce or any other social group. The very nature of who a person is is continually being formed by their culture.
In order to provide competent care to a variety of patients, the nurse must be culturally …show more content…
“Natural illnesses occur when a person fails to monitor or manipulate the bodily processes correctly” (Salimbene, 2000). One of the “natural” causes of illness is improper conduct. This is when a person becomes ill due to their wrong doings and many believe these illnesses can only be healed by prayer. Medical providers are seen as powerless since this illness is punishment from God.
Treating an African American patient can come with potential problems or concerns. African American males in young adulthood or adolescents are at a higher chance of committing suicide and having depression (Varocolis & Halter, 2010). While African Americans as a whole are at an above average risk for diabetes, stroke, peripheral artery disease, Alzheimer’s and heart disease (MedlinePlus, 2013). The next section of this paper will discuss potential nursing diagnoses to these health issues and therapeutic interventions patient specific to the African American …show more content…
This diagnosis can be related to ineffective coping, insufficient resources and spiritual distress. This diagnosis is supported by evidence of lack of health seeking behaviors and lack of knowledge about basic health practices. “Providers should work actively to change only those beliefs or behaviors with known health consequences” (George, 2012). Rather than seeking medical help from a health care provider an African American might seek the help of a trusted spiritual healer, the matriarch of the family or rely on prayer. This can lead to issues when the alternative methods of healing do not work but the illness
In order to provide competent care to a variety of patients, the nurse must be culturally …show more content…
“Natural illnesses occur when a person fails to monitor or manipulate the bodily processes correctly” (Salimbene, 2000). One of the “natural” causes of illness is improper conduct. This is when a person becomes ill due to their wrong doings and many believe these illnesses can only be healed by prayer. Medical providers are seen as powerless since this illness is punishment from God.
Treating an African American patient can come with potential problems or concerns. African American males in young adulthood or adolescents are at a higher chance of committing suicide and having depression (Varocolis & Halter, 2010). While African Americans as a whole are at an above average risk for diabetes, stroke, peripheral artery disease, Alzheimer’s and heart disease (MedlinePlus, 2013). The next section of this paper will discuss potential nursing diagnoses to these health issues and therapeutic interventions patient specific to the African American …show more content…
This diagnosis can be related to ineffective coping, insufficient resources and spiritual distress. This diagnosis is supported by evidence of lack of health seeking behaviors and lack of knowledge about basic health practices. “Providers should work actively to change only those beliefs or behaviors with known health consequences” (George, 2012). Rather than seeking medical help from a health care provider an African American might seek the help of a trusted spiritual healer, the matriarch of the family or rely on prayer. This can lead to issues when the alternative methods of healing do not work but the illness