| Culture | The socially transmitted behavior patterns, beliefs, values, customs, arts, and all other characteristics of people that guide their view of the world. |
| Cultural Sensitivity | Using culturally appropriate language and not offending another person's cultural beliefs. |
| Belief | Things that a person accepts as true. |
| Acculturation | Learning to accept ones own beliefs as well as those of the new country. Occurs. through socialization process of those who are learning to become a member of the society or group. |
| Assimulation | When a new member takes on the dominant culture's values, beliefs, and practices, sometimes at the cost of losing some of his or her cultural heritage. |
| Cultural Awareness | Having an appreciation for and attention to arts, music, crafts, celebrations, foods, and traditional cooking. |
| Cultural Competence | Having the skills and knowledge required to provide effective nursing care. |
| Cultural Conflict | When one's own culture conflicts with a new culture. |
| Cultural Diversity | Nationality, race, skin color, gender, age, spirituality, and religious affiliation. |
| Culture Shock | When values, beliefs, and practices sanctioned by the new culture are very different from the ones of native cultures. |
| Ethnic | Belonging to a subgroup of a larger cultural group. |
| Ethnocentrism | Tendency to think that your way of thinking, acting, and believing are the only right, proper, and natural ways. |
| Spirituality | Essence of being and gives purpose to existence. |
| Stereotype | Opinion or belief about a group of people that is ascribed to an individual. |
| Traditions | The transmission of customs of beliefs from generation to generation. |
| Values | Principles or standards that has meaning or worth to an individual. |
| Worldview | Way a person perceives the world. |
| Nursing care that exhibits cultural awareness, sensitivity, and competence: | - Have specific knowledge of ur patients care.
- Have an awareness of your own culture and not let it influence patient care.
- Accept & respect cultural differences.
- Adapt your nursing care to your patient's culture. |
| 8 Cultural Phenomena: Communication Styles | - Variations in grammer, word meaning, pronunciation of a spoken language.
- Non-verbal communication: use and degree of eye contact, perception of time, and physical closeness with peers and superiors. |
| 8 Cultural Phenomena: Space | Personal space, comfort zones (differs across all cultures). |
| 8 Cultural Phenomena: Time Orientation | Perception of time has two dimensions. Clock time vs. social time & Past, present, future. |
| 8 Cultural Phenomena: Social Organization | Perceived head of household, gender roles, and roles of older and extended family members. |
| 8 Cultural Phenomena: Health Beliefs | May believe that their illness is due to a spiritual cause and not bacteria. |
| 8 Cultural Phenomena: Environmental Control | May not turn to Western medicine. Alternative healthcare and therapies. |
| 8 Cultural Phenomena: Choice of Health Care Providers (HCPs) | Some cultures may prefer a highly educated HCP. Others may prefer traditional healers because they are known to the patient, family, and community. |
| 8 Cultural Phenomena: Biological Variations | - Body, build and structure
- Skin color
- Vital signs
- Laboratory values
- Susceptibility to disease
- Nutrition |
| 8 Cultural Phenomena: Death & Dying and End-of-Life Issues | Become knowledgable in other cultures rituals surrounding death and bereavement. |
| Review the use of an interpreter (Refrain - Why?) | - Family members may not be proficient in medical terminology.
- May unintentionally omit or alter important information.
- Using family to interpret may violate HIPAA.
- If children are used, they may not be emotionally mature enough to handle the information being conveyed. |
| Key Changes and Implications: Muscular System | Changes:
- Decreased muscle mass
- Decreased muscle tone
- Slower muscle responses
- Decreased elasticity of tendons/ligaments
Implications:
- Longer time for movement
- Risk for injury |
| Key Changes and Implications: Skeletal | Changes:
- Exaggerated bony prominences
- Eroding cartilage
- Joint stiffness
- Osteoporosis
Implications:
- Limited range of motion
- Self-care deficits
- Falls & fractures |
| Key Changes and Implications: Integumentary | Changes:
- Thinning skin/hair
- Decreased subcutaneous fat
- Increased dryness of skin/nails
- Increased pigmentation
- Decreased melanin (gray hair)
Implications:
- Pressure injurise
- Longer healing time
- Dryness
- Foot care
- Altered temp regulation |
| Key Changes and Implications: Cardiovascular | Changes:
- Cardiac output decreases
- Classic symptoms of cardiac emergencies
- Arrhythmias
- Leg vein valves less efficient
Implications:
- Fluid overload
- Edema
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Atypical cardiac symptoms |
| Key Changes and Implications: Respiratory | Changes:
- Emptying of lungs less complete
- Lung capacity decreased
- Tone of lung tissue reduced
Implications:
- Activity tolerance
- Respiratory infections
- Weaker cough or gag reflex
- Vaccines & flu shots |
| Key Changes and Implications: Gastrointestinal | Changes:
- Gastric emptying delayed
- Liver enzymes decline
- Peristalsis decreases
- Taste, smell, saliva decreases
- Tooth loss
Implications:
- Aspiration
- Constipation
- Drug toxicity
- Malnutrition
- Oral care |
| How to communicate with a patient who is hard of hearing: | - Moderate volume & low tone
- Stand face-to-face with patients
- Speak slowly & clearly
- Provide written instructions |
