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Medical-Surgical Nursing

Introduction

Medical-Surgical NursingIntroduction
An Iraqi doctor examines a child.
Figure 2.1 Addressing culture is vital to effective health care. (credit: "Iraqi doctor" by Debbie Morello/USAID, Public Domain)

Chapter Outline

2.1 Concepts in Culture
2.2 Cultural Assessment
2.3 Health Equity and Disparities

Nursing student Jane is caring for a woman who emigrated from Sri Lanka. Jane does not speak the patient’s language and is not sure how to proceed to address her unique needs, values, and beliefs about health and illness. She delivers good-quality care by administering medications properly and safely and by providing attentive nursing care but fears she may be missing important elements of her spiritual and cultural care. She wants to learn more about her culture to provide appropriate patient education to the patient and her family. Her experience with this patient has made her more interested in truly learning how culture can impact health and healing. By learning more about how culture can impact a person’s health and wellness, nurses can provide effective care, improve health outcomes, and avoid stereotypes or biases that may hinder the quality of care.

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