NCLEX - CGFNS : Cultural Diversity (2)

ASIAN AMERICAN

• They may use languages include Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and English
• They act "silence" as a value thing
• Eye contact may be considered inappropriate or disrespectful and criticism or disagreement is also not expressed verbally
• Head nodding doesn't mean agreement and the word "no" may be interpreted as disrespect for others
• Preference is for a formal personal space except with family and close friends
• During conversation, they usually do not touch each others.
• Touching is unacceptable with opposite sex
• Do not touch someone on the head, because the head is considered to be sacred, and touching it is considered disrespectful
• Many Asian American Members are devoted to tradition and extended family network are common
• Men have the power and authority, and women are expected to be obedient.
• Their family unit is structured and hierarchical
• They view education as important
• Religions among them include Taoism (Buddhism), Islam, and Christianity.
• Health is a state of physical and spiritual harmony with nature and a balance between yin and yang (positive and negative energy forces), and illness is viewed as an imbalance between yin and yang



• Yin foods are cold and yang foods are hot so one eats cold foods when has a hot illness, and one eats hot foods when has a cold illness
• Health risks are Hypertension, Cancer, Heart disease, Lactose Intolerance and Thalassemia

So as a nurse when giving care to the Asian American client should consider :

• Limit eye contact and avoid gesturing with hand
• Avoid physical excessive touching, and only touch head when necessary and informing them before doing so.
• Female client prefers a female health care provider / nurse
• Flexibe and avoid rigidity in giving them nursing care and ancourage family involvement.
• Consider alternative treatment including herbs, acupuncture, restoration of balance with foods, massage, and offering of prayers and incense

NCLEX - CGFNS : Cultural Diversity (1)

Nurses will care for clients who come from ethnic, cultural, or religious backgrounds that are different from their own. Acknowledgment and acceptance of cultural diversity with nonjudgmental attitude are essential for nurse to provide culturally sensitive care.

Some questions of NCLEX-RN exam or CGFNS test are about cultural diversity, how nurse give a care to client with different ethnic, cultural and religion.

AFRICAN AMERICAN

• They are competent in standard English based on pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.
• Head nodding does not mean agreement.
• Direct contact is interpreted as rudeness or aggressive.
• Personal question that is asked on initial contact may be viewed as intrusive.
• They are comfortable with close personal space when interacting with family and friends.
• Relationship is more important than being on time.
• Extended family are important and the elderly are respected.
• Religious beliefs are sources of strength.
• They believe that illness can be prevented by nutrition, rest and cleanliness.
• Most of them have the health risk : Hypertension, sickle cell anemia, hearth disease, cancer, diabetes mellitus, and lactose intolerance.

According to that cultural diversity, as a nurse, you should build a relationship based on trust with them, be flexible and avoid rigidity in scheduling nursing care, clarify the meaning of client's verbal and nonverbal behavior, and encourage family involvement. Nursing care for them may go to the alternative modes of healing such as herbs, prayer, and laying on of hands.