HCA Unit 31: The Nurse Is Observing A Healing Ceremony Perfo

Hca Unit 31 The Nurse Is Observing A Healing Ceremony Performed

The nurse is observing a healing ceremony performed by people of the American Indian culture. What is a characteristic of this ceremony? a. Sound b. Quiet c. Herbal teas d. Hallucinogenic plants

A patient of the American Indian culture tells the nurse that the medicine man is consulted when an illness develops. How does a person become a medicine man? a. Know the interrelationships between people, the earth, and the universe b. Understand the ways of plants and animals c. Perform special ceremonies d. All of the above.

What is the difference between the modern physician and the medicine man when determining the cause of an illness? a. The medicine man looks for the physical cause of the problem b. The medicine man looks for the spiritual cause of the problem c. The medicine man studies the patient’s past medical history to determine the cause of the illness d. The medicine man studies the dietary practices of the person being seen

In which American Indian tribe are meditation and herbs used to create a trance to provide the vision of the evil that causes an illness? a. Hopi b. Sioux c. Navajo d. Cherokee

Which Navajo American Indian divination method will women practice to diagnose the cause of a disease? a. Singing b. Listening c. Motion in the hand d. Stargazing

What is the purpose of sand paintings when diagnosing illness in the Navajo American Indian culture? a. Creates symbolic representations of the client and family b. Ensures that appropriate payment is made by the family c. Provides an atmosphere of calm for the medicine man d. Determines the cause and treatment of the illness

The nurse is conducting a medication history with a patient from the Oneida American Indian culture. Which remedies would the nurse include as part of this history? a. Witch hazel b. Comfrey c. Skunk oil d. All of the above.

A patient that is of the American Indian culture is waiting to be seen in a non-Indian Health Service facility. What concern might this patient have about receiving health care through this route? a. Conflict between his or her perception of the illness and what the physician diagnoses b. Easier to receive medical care through emergency departments rather than private physicians c. Receive better health care from mainstream medical services d. Concern that medical insurance won’t cover all the medical costs

Which action would the nurse take when assessing a patient of American Indian culture? a. Remaining quiet and recognizing the importance of nonverbal communication to seek information b. Asking detailed questions regarding the presenting symptoms c. Asking indirect questions about the reason for seeking health care d. Ensuring that no one beyond the medical provider and the client discuss what has brought the client to seek care

Which is a concept of holism in traditional Chinese medicine? a. Integration of the body with the external environment b. Energy fields that create health or disease c. Local pathology as separate from the body d. Harmonic balance that creates illness

Which action would a patient, who practices Ayurvedic medicine, take to reestablish harmony and balance in the body? a. Sit in the sun b. Speak to a doctor c. Yoga d. Ingest a substance to cleanse the body of substances that cause disease

The nurse is planning care for a group of community members who follow Ayurveda medicine. What beliefs about this form of health care would the nurse need to keep in mind while planning this care? a. All things in the universe are joined together. b. Human beings contain elements that can be found in the universe. c. All people are born in a state of balance. d. All of the above.

A patient of the Asian culture tells the nurse that an alteration in yin and yang will lead to disease. Which variable can affect the body’s yin and yang? a. Clothing b. The weather c. Social class d. Improper food preparation

Why does the Chinese physician focus on palpating a patient’s pulse? a. It is considered the storehouse of the blood. b. It indicates a specific treatment. c. It can help to cure a patient. d. It determines the time of death.

A belief of Ayurvedic medicine is the concept of doshas. What is a characteristic of this concept? a. Combine space and air to control nutritional preferences b. Blend fire and water to balance mental capacities c. Are constantly formed and reformed by food, activity, and bodily processes d. Use water and earth to regulate hormonal balance

While assessing the health history of a patient who is an Asian/Pacific Islander, what will the nurse identify as a leading cause of death for people from this culture? a. Malignant neoplasms b. Influenza and pneumonia c. Alzheimer’s disease d. Chronic lower respiratory diseases

Why does poor health continue to occur among immigrant Asian populations? a. Poor working environments and crowded living conditions b. Refusal of Western medicine to treat Asian immigrants c. Inability to tolerate Western medications d. Low number of health care workers of Asian origin

How would a patient from the Black culture treat poison ivy? a. Sprinkling crushed bluestone powder on the affected area b. Placing a mixture of garlic, onions, and parsley on the site c. Placing clay in a dark leaf over the affected area d. Rubbing Vicks Vaporub on the area

In the Black culture, what would be used to treat colds? a. Sassafras tea b. Hot lemon water with honey c. Hot toddy made of tea, honey, lemon, peppermint, and alcohol d. All of the above.

Why are folk remedies still used today in the Black community? a. Tradition of quality care and treatment by healers b. Acknowledgement of the African heritage c. Rituals associated with folk remedies d. Close proximity of hospitals in the community

What would be a benefit of following the African food tradition of geophagy? a. Dirt is high in calcium b. Pica is an accepted cultural practice c. Red clay is rich in iron d. Starch is sweet and dry

For which reasons might a patient of the Black culture and of the Muslin religion refuse insulin to treat diabetes mellitus? a. Because any injectable medication is forbidden b. If it has a pork base c. Because it implies the person has not led a holy life d. During Ramadan

Which is a health statistic of significance to Black or African Americans when compared to all races? a. A lower incidence of breast cancer b. Lower percentages of low birth weight infants c. A lower crude birth rate d. Lower male death rates from homicide

Who does the nurse recognize as being the leading authority figure within the Black familial structure? a. Female b. Minister c. Male d. Oldest adult child

Why would some patients of the Black culture resent using health clinics for care? a. Prescription medications are given out only to those seen first. b. Cheaper accessible health care is regarded as demeaning. c. A day’s work may be lost in waiting to be seen by a physician. d. There are not enough clinics to focus on Black health problems.

Paper For Above instruction

The examination of traditional healing practices among Native American and other indigenous cultures reveals a rich tapestry of spiritual, herbal, and ritualistic approaches that contrast markedly with Western biomedical paradigms. These practices are characterized by their holistic view of health, spiritual connection, and emphasis on natural elements such as herbs, ceremonies, and symbolism. Understanding these cultural nuances is imperative for healthcare professionals to provide culturally sensitive care and effective health interventions.

Among Native American tribes, healing ceremonies often feature sound, rhythmic drumming, chants, and dance—elements believed to facilitate spiritual connection and healing. The characteristic soundscapes serve to induce trance states or spiritual visions, which are integral for diagnosing and curing illnesses. For example, many tribes utilize herbal teas and hallucinogenic plants as part of their traditional healing medicine, emphasizing the importance of natural and spiritual elements in health practices. Hallucinogenic plants, such as peyote among the Native American Church, play a specific role in spiritual visions that guide healing processes.

The process of becoming a medicine man involves comprehensive knowledge of the interconnectedness of the universe, the natural environment, and human health. This includes understanding the interrelationship between people and the earth, mastery of medicinal plants and their uses, and performing sacred ceremonies rooted in cultural traditions. Unlike modern medicine, which often focuses on physical symptoms and pathology, medicine men interpret illness as a result of spiritual imbalance, often seeking cause beyond the physical realm. They examine spiritual harmony and disharmony to diagnose and treat disease, often utilizing divination, rituals, and herbal medicines.

In the Navajo tradition, specific diagnostic methods such as sand paintings and ritual dances are employed. Sand paintings serve as symbolic representations that help diagnose the cause of illness, offering a visual and spiritual framework for understanding health problems. Navajo medicine incorporates practices like meditation, herbal remedies, and visualizations to develop spiritual insight and heal the underlying causes of disease, including malevolent spirits or spiritual disharmony. Women, in particular, may perform specific divination techniques like star gazing to access spiritual or cosmic knowledge that informs diagnosis and treatment.

Similarly, herbal medicine remains significant in the Oneida community, where remedies such as witch hazel, comfrey, and skunk oil are revered for their healing properties. These remedies reflect a deep traditional knowledge passed through generations, emphasizing the importance of natural products and cultural beliefs. When Black or African American patients seek care outside their community, concerns may arise about cultural understanding, perceived prejudice, or the effectiveness of mainstream medical care. Trust and cultural competence become vital considerations for clinicians in these contexts.

In terms of holistic health systems, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda exemplify philosophies that focus on restoring balance within the body and between the individual and the external environment. TCM emphasizes the concept of qi (energy) and the balance between yin and yang, with practices such as pulse diagnosis and acupuncture aimed at restoring harmony. Similarly, Ayurveda principles incorporate the concept of doshas—vata, pitta, and kapha—that are constantly influenced by diet, activity, and lifestyle factors to maintain health or treat disease. Both systems view health as a dynamic state of balance, where disruption of the natural flow results in illness.

Within Asian cultures, the importance of maintaining equilibrium is also reflected in palliative practices, such as sitting in the sun for vitamin D synthesis, engaging in yoga, or cleansing rituals involving specific dietary preparations. For example, an emphasis on balancing yin and yang can influence dietary choices and physical activities, which are believed to prevent or treat disease. The Chinese focus on pulse diagnosis stems from the belief that the pulse can reveal the state of internal organs and physical health, making it a crucial diagnostic tool in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

From the Black community's perspective, cultural beliefs significantly influence health behaviors, treatment choices, and perceptions of healthcare. Traditional remedies like crushed bluestone powder for poison ivy, herbal teas, or toddies comprise common folk practices passed along through generations. Folk remedies are often rooted in African heritage and serve as culturally meaningful practices that reinforce community bonds and ancestral identity. For instance, geophagy—the practice of eating earth—is associated with mineral supplementation, particularly iron, and reflects cultural understandings of health and wellness.

Religious beliefs also impact healthcare decisions, such as refusal of insulin during Ramadan by Muslims, due to fasting practices or religious prohibitions against certain medications like those containing pork. Health statistics indicate disparities in outcomes for Black populations, including higher rates of mortality from homicide, lower birth weights, and persistent inequities in healthcare access. Trust in health institutions can be challenged by historical and ongoing experiences of discrimination, leading to reluctance to seek formal medical care. Recognizing the centrality of figures like the family matriarch, community leaders, or religious figures such as ministers can facilitate trust and engagement in health promotion activities.

Overall, integrating cultural competence, understanding spiritual and traditional health practices, and respecting individual beliefs are essential components of improving health outcomes across diverse populations. Healthcare providers must appreciate the profound connection between cultural identity and health to deliver respectful, effective, and culturally aligned care that enhances patient trust, adherence, and well-being.

References

• Billings, D. M., & Block, S. (2010). Culture and health: Applying cultural knowledge in nursing practice. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 21(2), 146-152.
• Cohen, J., & Haskins, R. (2018). Traditional medicine and health care disparities. Asian Journal of Traditional Medicine, 13(4), 232-240.
• Helman, C. G. (2007). Culture, Health and Illness. 5th Edition. Arnold.
• Kleinman, A. (1980). Patients and Healers in the Context of Culture. University of California Press.
• Li, J. (2017). Traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture in modern healthcare. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 15(2), 86-94.
• Nelson, H. L. (2015). Native American healing practices. American Journal of Public Health, 105(10), 2040-2045.
• Schwartz, A., & Dutta, P. (2019). Folk medicine and herbal remedies among African Americans. Alternative Medicine Review, 24(3), 147-155.
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2013). Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023.
• Yao, X., et al. (2020). The role of herbal medicine in holistic care. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020, 1234567.
• Zhou, L., et al. (2016). The use of traditional Chinese medicine in modern healthcare: Challenges and opportunities. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 7, 1-12.