This weeks response is a bit different the instructor wants us to:

Respond on or before Day 6 to at leastone of your colleagues who selected a different patient than you, using one or more of the following approaches:

• Suggest additional socioeconomic, spiritual, lifestyle, and other cultural factors related to the patient.
• Critique your colleague’s targeted questions, and explain how the patient might interpret these questions. Explain whether any of the questions would apply to your patient, and why.

*******APA Format, 2 paragraphs, 3 references, just be sure to answer the instructors questions above.

My classmates response that I need to reply to is below:

My classmates response was:

• Case #3: 23-year-old Native American male comes in to see you because he has been having anxiety and wants something to help him. He has been smoking “pot” and says he drinks to help him too. He tells you he is afraid that he will not get into Heaven if he continues in this lifestyle.

One’s cultural and spiritual beliefs may have a profound effect on their perception of health care and illness or disease (Ball & et al, 2015). As an advanced practice nurse, it is important to understand how these aspects affect each patient and not to make assumptions based on the patients race or how they appear (Ball & et al, 2015). Conducting a thorough interview to build a health history and asking targeted questions about the patient’s beliefs and ideas can help the practitioner to prescribe treatment and health teaching that the individual patient is open and accepting which can aid in better compliance and outcomes for the patient (Ball & et al, 2015). The following paragraphs will discuss the spiritual, cultural and lifestyle factors that may be influencing the 23-year-old Native American male described in case number 3, as well as discussing five targeted questions that will aid in acquiring needed information on his perceptions of health and illness.

Spiritual, Cultural and Lifestyle Factors

Ball & et al states that to provide culturally competent care advanced practice nurses must be sensitive to patient’s “heritage, sexual orientation, socioeconomic situation, ethnicity, and cultural background” (2015). Native American cultural factors significantly influence the perspectives of traditional health care. Establishing a basic understanding, showing respect for, and demonstrating sensitivity to the patient beliefs can aid in fostering a trusting and therapeutic relationship (Sanchez, Plawecki & Plawecki, 1995).

Many Native American’s are very close with their family and community, and often have strong community support. They often have very strong spiritual beliefs and close ties to local area churches. Their spiritual beliefs greatly impact their perception of health care practices and are often untrusting and closed off to outside groups or organizations. Native Americans view their body and soul as one; being synonymous with nature and the harmony of the body and soul. (Cultural Competency: Serving American Indian Patients, n.d). Satter & et al, states that asking questions about their tribal heritage is an important aspect of the interview process and helps to show respect for their heritage and interest in their person and culture (2005). Many tribal names may sound or be spelled very similar and it is okay to ask for clarification as it shows that one is interested, and a learner which can be helpful for further questions and in building a relationship (Satter & et al, 2005).

Targeted Questions

1. Do you utilize any cultural medicinal practices when you are sick? (Native Americans often have strong spiritual beliefs and may participate in tribal medicine, which they may not mention unless directly asked (Cultural Competency: Serving American Indian Patients, n.d).
2. What do you call your problem? (Asking will help to get a better understanding of his perceptions of illness, (Ball & et al, 2015).
3. Do you see anyone else for your problem? (He may utilize a tribal healer or other traditional medicine (Ball & et al, 2015).
4. Why did you come to me for treatment? (This will divulge more information as to what his expectations for the visit are and can help to establish treatment goals (Ball & et al, 2015).
5. What worries you the most about your illness? (Provides information on his perception of his illness or health (Ball & et al, 2015).

References

Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2015). Seidel’s guide to physical examination (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.

Cultural Competency: Serving American Indian Patients. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://whb.ncpublichealth.com/Manuals/CulturalComp…

Sanchez, T. R., Plawecki, J. A., & Plawecki, H. M. (1996). The Delivery of Culturally Sensitive Health Care to Native Americans. Journal of Holistic Nursing,14(4), 295-307. doi:10.1177/089801019601400403

Satter, D. E., Veiga-Ermert, A., Burhansstipanov, L., Pena, L., & Restivo, T. (2005). Communicating respectfully with American Indian and Alaska natives: lessons from the California Health Interview Survey. Journal Of Cancer Education: The Official Journal Of The American Association For Cancer Education, 20(1), 49-51. Retrieved from: Walden University Library.