Fundamentals of Nursing Q 519
The ambulatory care nurse is discussing preoperative procedures with a Japanese American client who is scheduled for surgery the following week. During the discussion, the client continually smiles and nods his head. How should the nurse interpret this nonverbal behavior?
A. An acceptance of the treatment.
B. Client understanding of the preoperative procedures.
C. Reflecting a cultural value.
D. Client agreement to the required procedures.
Correct Answer: C. Reflecting a cultural value.
Nodding or smiling by a Japanese American client may reflect only the cultural value of interpersonal harmony. This nonverbal behavior may not be an indication of acceptance of the treatment, agreement with the speaker, or understanding of the procedure. 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 A: If unsure about something, simply ask. Most people of different cultures will happily educate a healthcare provider who is willing to listen and understand their cultural differences. When asking questions, make sure the body language communicates openness and an intent to truly hear the patient versus listening to respond.
Option B: In reality, healthcare only reaches its full potential when the whole patient is considered, including their family, their day-to-day life, and their culture. Make an effort to learn about those cultures by becoming immersed in them. Visit the area where that culture is dominant and read about the culture from reputable books and online sources.
Option D: It’s essential for nurses to build trust with their patients, regardless of ethnic or racial background. However, treating culturally diverse patients requires a heightened level of trust to be established, which can become even more difficult when there’s a language barrier.