This document discusses cultural aspects of nursing that nurses should consider when providing care to patients. It begins with an introduction to the KWL learning strategy to assess prior knowledge, questions, and new learning about cultural aspects of nursing. It then lists key cultural phenomena like communication, space, time, social organization, environmental control, and biological variations that can influence nursing care. The document provides examples for each phenomenon. It also presents some critical thinking questions about providing culturally sensitive care and discusses the best nursing responses. Key learning points are that nurses should respect patients' cultural beliefs and involve family members in care when appropriate.

1. Cultural Aspects of Nursing
Jeanne M. Colia, RN, MSN,
CNOR

2. KWL: A learning tool to assess prior, needed, and
learned knowledge
• Before we began this exercise, what are some of
the facts that you know about Cultural Aspects
of Nursing?
• What do you want to learn about Cultural
Aspects of Nursing.
• What have you learned about Cultural Aspects
of Nursing?

3. Cultural Phenomena that influence
Nursing
• 1. Communication
• 2.
• 3. Time
• 4.
• 5.
• 6.

4. Answers
• 1. Communication
• 2. Space
• 3. Time
• 4.Social Organization
• 5. Environmental control
• 6. Biological variations.

5. Communication
• Verbal language,
– Intonation,
– Speed,
– Vocabulary,
– Silence
• Nonverbal language,
– Gestures,
– touch,
– body posture

6. Social Organization
• Family group/Ethnic groups
• Religious groups

7. Environmental control
• Folk medicine
• Traditional healers
• Health and illness beliefs

8. Biological Variations
• Body structure, Skin Color
• Genetic make up, nutritional preferences
• Enzymatic functions, ECG pattern
• Susceptibility to certain diseases

9. Applying Critical Thinking
• The nurse is asking an elderly Hispanic
female client to sign a consent form for a
bronchoscopy procedure scheduled the
next day. The client tells the nurse that
she wants to wait until her family arrives
later. Which nursing action is most
appropriate

10. Choose Nursing Action
A. Ask the client to sign, but inform her that
she can change her mind.
B. Ask the client if she has any questions
you can answer.
C. Tell the client to call you when her family
arrives.
D. Inform the doctor.

11. Answer C
• Tell the client to call you when her family
arrives.
• The family is an important social
organization in many cultures.
• Being available when the family arrives is
manifesting respect for the client’s wishes
and cultural sensitivity.

12. Critical Thinking Question
• The nurse is taking care of a patient who
is scheduled for surgery today. The client
asks the nurse to read a passage from the
Bible to help her prepare herself for
surgery. It is most appropriate for the
nurse to:

13. Answers
A. Read the Bible passage.
B. Ask if someone on staff is the same
religion as the client.
C. Kindly tell the client that nurses cannot
get involved in religious issues.
D. Inquire if the client would prefer that a
religious person be called.

14. Answer A
• Read the Bible passage. Recognizing the
spiritual needs of a client is viewing the
client as a whole person with spiritual as
well as physical needs.

15. Critical Thinking
• The nurse is assigned to a patient who
believes that wearing a copper bracelet
will relieve arthritic pain. In providing care
for the client, it is most important for the
nurse to:

16. Answer Choices
• A. encourage the client to use anti-
inflammatory medication.
• B. inform the client that copper bracelets
have no proven medical value.
• C. address the pathophysiology
associated with arthritis with the client.
• Respect the beliefs associated with the
copper bracelet by the client.

17. Answer D
• Cultural beliefs play an important role in
the healing process. This cultural belief
does not interfere with the client’s well-
being.

18. KWL
• Before we began this exercise, what are
some of the facts that you knew about
Cultural Aspects of Nursing?
• What did you want to know about Cultural
Aspects of Nursing.
• What have you learned about Cultural
Aspects of Nursing?

19. References
• Elkin, M.K., Potter, P., & Perry, A. (2007). Nursing
interventions & clinical skills (4th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.
• Potter, P. & Perry, A. (2007). Basic nursing essentials for
practice (6th ed.) St. Louis: Mosby.
• Potter, P. & Perry, A. (2011). Basic nursing essentials for
practice (7th ed.) St. Louis: Mosby.