Key Components Of Conducting Cultural Assessment In Nursing

Conducting cultural assessments on each individual patient is a necessity in nursing. This paper will describe some of the key components of conducting a comprehensive cultural assessment. I will also choose two of the listed components and reflect on my own culture and how it could possibly impact my attitude toward a patient of a different culture. Lastly, I will create two nursing diagnoses, for a patient who comes into a physician’s office that I work for, with a newly diagnosed problem. These diagnoses will reflect cultural diversity that might pose a barrier to communication with this patient. I will give a rationale for each diagnosis and describe how I would intervene and evaluate for a successful plan of care.
Key Components of a …show more content…
A cultural assessment involves learning about the patient’s cultural beliefs, values, and practices (Andrews & Boyle, 2016). We must understand that each patient is unique and has their own cultural beliefs and not assume, based on appearances, that they may belong to a particular culture. The goal of a cultural assessment is to obtain information from a patient that accurately describes their beliefs and values, in order to devise a mutually acceptable care plan for treatment that will be effective for their problem (Campinha-Bacote, 2011). These practices are shaped by family members that are passed down from each generation. Some of the components of a cultural assessment involve biocultural variations of the disease, both verbal and non-verbal communication, cultural affiliations, sanctions and restrictions, developmental considerations, economics, educational background, health-related beliefs and practices, social networks, nutrition, religion, and values (Andrews & Boyle, 2012). We must conduct this assessment in a safe and non-judgmental environment in order for the patient to feel comfortable enough to trust us and give honest answers. According to Dinc (2013), when nurses engage themselves with a patient’s culture, they show interest and acceptance, …show more content…
After assessment, I discover that the patient has not had anything to eat or drink since early yesterday morning before sunrise. Muslims celebrate Ramadan, which is observed for at least 29 consecutive days during a particular month. During Ramadan, Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink from after sunrise until after sunset (Ramadan Islam.org, 2016). The Muslim cultures believe that this will cleanse the soul and free them from any impurities. The fasting is also a way to practice self-discipline and control. Evidence has shown that when you are active during the hot months of the year and fasting during Ramadan this can cause dehydration (Trabelsi et al., 2011). This study also found that when fasting, you decrease body fat and weight, which may be due to the dehydration. It is suggested that those that observe Ramadan, and will be active in the heat, should drink plenty of fluids during the evening hours in order to reduce the occurrence of dehydration. Using cultural consideration in this matter brings understanding as to how this could happen with this culture. My intervention would be to explain to her the causes, effects, and symptoms of dehydration and teaching that it is important to stay hydrated during the “sundown” hours of the day to compensate for any fluid loss. The patient admitted that she was so busy during the day before that when she went home after work,