Applying Culturally Sensitive Care
1.State and discuss the legal and ethical considerations occurring in this scenario. Include
supporting citations.
2.How can RNs support the patient’s decision when the beliefs of the patient are contrary
their own? List three (3) interventions, with supporting rationales, the RN would perform
to ensure the delivery of culturally sensitive care.
3.Identify one (1) additional major religion, in which the same circumstances might also
require the RN to advocate for the patient’s refusal of surgery. Describe the beliefs behind
why the identified religion could pose a moral conflict for a similar patient.
M2D1: Applying Culturally Sensitive Care
Legal and ethical consideration
In this case study, there is conflict between the nurse ethical responsibilities to her patient, legal
responsibility to her employer and legal duty to the physician; which exposes the RN to
professional risk. This is a challenging situation as there is inadequate guide in resolving such
kind of dilemmas. For instance, the nursing standards and law are vague about rights to ethical
M2D1: Applying Culturally Sensitive Care 2
decisions made by RNs. The code of ethics does not offer legal protection to RN who works as
patient advocate (Hunt, 2013).
In this case, the role of the nurse is to remain cultural competent. The RN must respect the
patient decision even when the patient’s decision is irrational or wrong. The RN should advise
the patient about their clinical opinion without putting pressure on them to accept the RNs
advice. While doing so, the RN should be careful not to use words and actions that disrespect the
patient values and beliefs (Hinkle & Cheever, 2013).
RNs support to patient decision
The RN can offer support to patient’s decision by (Taylor, Lilis, LeMone, & Lynn, 2011);
a) Being an active listener
This is important as it helps establish mutual relationship and trust to the RN. It is a way
for RN to show their concerns to the patient. The RN should ask the patient about their
understanding of the health condition, which will help RN to address any misconceptions.
b) Explain medication detail
Most of the healthcare medical terms are jargons to ordinary people. It is important to
discuss all the details associated with the medication, his risk level and programs which
could help with the patient cost management and coping strategies.
c) Explore alternative approaches
Some of the patients could be comfortable to seek alternative medication such as herbal
remedies or traditional healers. The RN must be thoroughly informed about the
alternative medication because some of the treatment could be harmful. If considered as
an alternative, the nurse can refer the patient to a certified practitioner. In Some cases,
religious rituals such as prayers can be integrated into practice.
M2D1: Applying Culturally Sensitive Care 3
Example of major religion
An example of a religion that could possibly be holding similar doctrines is Muslim religion.
Devout Muslims can reject medication containing alcohol such as those used during the peri-
operative procedures, or medications made from pork derivatives. In medical situations which
are not of emergency, the RN should educate the patient, but help them preserve their values and
believes (Smith, 2013). This includes exploring other beliefs that do not contradict to their
beliefs. These small accommodations could pay off the patient emotional well-being. Therefore,
to remain culturally competent care, the RN must perform cultural assessment in order to
understand their perception of illness and wellness (Kee, Hayes, & McCuistion, 2015).
M2D1: Applying Culturally Sensitive Care 4
References
Hinkle, J., & Cheever, K. (2013). Brunner and Suddarth’s textbook of medical-surgical nursing
(13th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Hunt, R. (2013). Introduction to community based nursing (5th ed.). Philadelphia, PA:
Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.
Kee, J., Hayes, E., & McCuistion, L. (2015). Pharmacology: A patient-centered nursing process
approach (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Taylor, C., Lilis, C., LeMone, P., & Lynn, P. (2011). Fundamentals of nursing: The art and
science of nursing care (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.
Smith, L. (2013). Reaching for cultural competence. Nursing, 43(6), 30-38.