Fundamentals of Nursing Q 511
The nurse is providing instructions to a Chinese-American client about the frequency and dosages of the take-home medicines. When conducting the teaching, the client continuously turns away from the nurse. The nurse should do which of the following appropriate actions?
A. Walk around the client so that the nurse can constantly face the client.
B. Call the attention of the client by speaking loudly.
C. Continue with the instructions, then confirming the client's understanding.
D. Hand over a written instruction and discuss only what the client doesn't understand.
Correct Answer: C. Continue with the instructions, verifying client understanding.
Most Chinese maintain a formal personal space with others, which is a form of respect. Most Chinese are uncomfortable with face-to-face communications, especially when eye contact is direct. If the client turns away from the nurse during a conversation, the most appropriate action is to continue with the instructions. Many cultures have very different ways of thinking about healthcare and may have traditions that go against the grain of Western medicine.
Option A: Walking around to the client so that the nurse faces the client is in direct conflict with the cultural practice. Healthcare providers who are unfamiliar with cultural traditions surrounding medical care may have difficulty connecting with the patient or the patient may not feel safe and recognized, which is key to treatment acceptance.
Option B: Calling attention and speaking loudly is viewed as a rude gesture. It’s important that nurses avoid making assumptions about cultures they aren’t familiar with. This can lead to a breakdown of trust and rapport between the nurse and their patient and reduce treatment acceptance.
Option D: Discussing only what the client cannot understand is not an acceptable practice of a nurse. When communicating with a patient, ask them to repeat back to you what you said, in their own words. If there’s a language barrier, a translator can help. Essentially, this will help you determine how much of what you are saying has been understood and how you might be able to change the way you communicate to improve the patient’s understanding.