Question

: An Islamic family is tending to a gravely ill 85-year old family member in the intensive care unit. They have asked that the bed be oriented toward the east, toward Mecca, so the Imam may hear the confession of sin and request for forgiveness. To orient the bed toward the east would require disconnecting it from the wall unit, including the oxygen valve and monitors for the arterial line.

1. How should the nurse try to solve this problem?
2. Identify the various cultures each patient might belong to, in addition to race/ethnicity.
3. How does this patient's age and developmental stage affect your care of this patient?
4. How does this person's culture or ethnicity affect your care of this patient?
5. Does this person's culture, ethnicity or age have an affect or relationship to the diagnosis.

Answer 1

Answer :In nursing practice, the health care professional need to value the cultural aspect of the patient and their family. In this case, the patient is in intensive care, requires critical care and safety. So the nurse tries to find out all the possible solutions to help the family. For example changing the bed to the requested position if it is available. Otherwise, the nurse needs to explain to the family regarding the present scenario and the condition of patient. There are various cultural practices among different ethnicity /race in the times of illness. For example, Spanish culture, food (hot/cold) intake can cure illnesses. VITAMIN C which is considered as cold food is inappropriate in treating upper respiratory tract infection. In this older patient, following their practices or rituals seems to be a bit more complicated. As the patient requires oxygen therapy and intravenous lines. Patients race /ethnicity definitely affects the care, some ethnic groups have certain diseases,which need to be identified during the care.