103). Cultural competency as a whole, allows the nurse to better employ their nursing practice in a respectful and receptive manner that enables them to provide a patient with the best and most appropriately possible care. In addition, culturally competent care also allows the nurse to build repertoire with patient, which is essential to patient outcomes and nursing intervention efficacy. For the nurse to employ culturally competent care means that the patient’s care is being handled to the upmost respect and distinctiveness. That their patient care is individualized, not generalized, to fit their personal beliefs, values, and practices serving as the framework for their treatment plan. Cultural awareness is imperative because culture plays a vital role in the way a patient will view, treat, approach, and heal from illnesses. Implementing a patient’s cultural beliefs will allow for better patient-nurse communication, better nursing care for that patient, and ultimately better patient …show more content…
For instance, a nurse would ensure patient-provider-family communication by consulting a Tagalog interpreter if the primary language weren’t English. This would provide a base for communicating in the proper primary language and would build repertoire to accurately communicate the complaints and needs of the patient. Moreover, directing conversation to the patient and family would be the preferred form of communication when addressing the patient’s treatment plan and diagnosis. Naturally, asking if any religious, cultural, or spiritual beliefs would influence their treatment plan, should be a question that is asked during assessment. Providing the patient and family with a list of options and services provided by the acute care setting in regards to Christian beliefs would be ideal for the patient and also for observing the patient and family’s moments of prayer. “Filipinos may display visible evidence of their religion, such as religious medals, prayer cards, and rosary beads to manage anxiety and pain” (Purnell & Paulanka, 2012, p. 246). Also when teaching the patient, it should be emphasized that medications be taken as directed, that unused medications should be discarded, and that medication should only be taken by the prescribed patient (Purnell &