You Are Working In An ICU Where A 16-Year-Old Girl Is In ✓ Solved

You are working in an ICU where a 16-year-old girl is in

You are working in an ICU where a 16-year-old girl is in critical condition after an auto accident. Her mother comes in and begins to sing, sprinkle tobacco around the bed, hang eagle feathers and crystals around the room, and move her hands back and forth above the girl’s body. The girl’s nurse tells the mother that visiting time is over and that she should take all these dirty things out of the room. The mother insists on staying by the bedside and says that if she had placed rosary beads or Bibles in the room she would not have been questioned. What cultural and spiritual issues are evident in this situation? Apply cultural competence to this case. Discuss complementary therapies evident in this situation. How would you incorporate spiritual care? How would you approach this situation? What principles would guide you? USE A NURSING SCHOLAR ARTICLE. NO PLAGIARISM. APA FORMAT.

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In the diversity of healthcare settings, cultural competence is crucial for delivering holistic and respectful care. The given scenario involving a 16-year-old girl in an intensive care unit (ICU) highlights significant cultural and spiritual issues that must be navigated by healthcare professionals. The mother's actions can be understood as forms of cultural expressions rooted in her beliefs, which may conflict with the biomedical practices of Western medicine.

Cultural and Spiritual Issues

The immediate cultural issues evident in this situation involve the mother’s practices—singing, sprinkling tobacco, and using eagle feathers and crystals—which may stem from Indigenous or alternative healing traditions. These practices symbolize her cultural identity and her attempt to invoke spiritual support for her daughter’s recovery. The nurse’s reaction, which described these items as 'dirty' and sought to remove them, inadvertently dismissed these cultural practices, thereby showing a lack of cultural competence.

Furthermore, this situation raises spiritual issues related to the mother’s desire to support her daughter through familiar and culturally significant rituals. The mother's assertion that she would not be questioned if she used rosary beads or Bibles reveals the underlying biases present within the healthcare system. It suggests that Western spiritual practices are often viewed as legitimate while others are not. This dichotomy can lead to feelings of alienation for patients and families who don’t adhere to mainstream religious beliefs.

Application of Cultural Competence

Cultural competence in nursing involves recognizing and respecting diverse cultural beliefs and practices while providing care. In this case, a culturally competent approach would involve an understanding and appreciation of the mother’s actions rather than merely viewing them as superstitions or unnecessary. Listening to the family’s concerns, acknowledging their cultural expressions, and finding a way to integrate their practices safely into the care environment could enhance the emotional support given at such a critical time.

Given the complexity of this situation, a healthcare professional could hold a conversation with the mother, aiming to understand her cultural practices better. This discussion could include asking her to explain the significance of the rituals she engaged in and how these practices could coexist with medical treatment. By doing so, the nurse demonstrates a willingness to embrace a holistic approach that incorporates physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

Complementary Therapies

Complementary therapies, such as the mother’s use of tobacco and crystals, reflect a growing acceptance within the healthcare community of approaches that go beyond traditional Western medicine. Many studies suggest that incorporating complementary treatments can enhance psychological well-being and even improve clinical outcomes (Bishop et al., 2020). Moreover, the singing can be seen as a therapeutic technique, as music therapy is known to foster healing and provide emotional support in critical health situations (Bradt & Dileo, 2014).

To incorporate complementary therapies appropriately, healthcare providers might explore policies that allow families to engage in their spiritual practices as long as they do not compromise patient safety. This could involve creating designated spaces within the hospital where traditional healers can conduct ceremonies or rituals, thus acknowledging the importance of spirituality in health and recovery.

Incorporating Spiritual Care

Incorporating spiritual care requires sensitive communication and support strategies that address the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and families. In this case, the nurse could initiate a family-centered approach, inviting spiritual care teams, such as chaplains, who are trained to navigate diverse spiritual contexts. By facilitating a dialogue between the healthcare staff and the mother regarding the care of her daughter, a nurse can act as an intermediary, gently explaining the medical perspectives while validating the mother’s beliefs.

Moreover, spiritual care might also involve providing resources like access to faith leaders from the mother’s cultural background or facilitating private moments for prayer and reflection. Allowing the mother to maintain her rituals, as long as they are aligned with the hospital’s policies, can reinforce the family’s support system during a crucial time.

Approach to the Situation

In addressing such a complex situation, several guiding principles should be followed, including respect for cultural diversity, open communication, and compassion. A respectful approach recognizes the significance of the mother’s cultural beliefs and seeks to integrate them into the care plan. Engaging in an open dialogue will help healthcare providers understand the unique cultural context while empowering families to participate actively in their loved one’s care.

Valuing spiritual and cultural diversity within healthcare reflects a commitment to providing compassionate and patient-centered care, leading to better outcomes and patient satisfaction. This incorporation of culture and spirituality creates an environment that respects the needs of both patients and families, promoting holistic healing in critical health contexts.

Conclusion

This scenario emphasizes the importance of cultural competence and sensitivity in healthcare settings. By embracing complementary therapies and incorporating spiritual care, nurses and healthcare professionals can facilitate a more holistic treatment approach, enriching the patient experience and fostering a stronger bond between providers and families. Ultimately, a culturally competent healthcare environment enhances patient care and aligns with the ethical imperative to treat all patients with dignity and respect.

References

• Bishop, F. L., Yardley, L., & Swalwell, M. (2020). Complementary therapies in cancer care: A critical review of the evidence. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 19, 1534735420907325.
• Bradt, J., & Dileo, C. (2014). Music interventions for mechanically ventilated patients. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 12.
• Cultural Competence in Health Care: A Review of the Evidence. (2015). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
• McCaffrey, R., & McGowan, M. (2018). Cultural Competence in Nursing: A Literature Review. Journal of Cultural Diversity, 25(1), 40-44.
• Purnell, L. D. (2019). The Purnell Model for Cultural Competence. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 30(1), 4-10.
• Resnik, L. (2021). Complementary and alternative medicine: Complementary therapies for pain management. American Family Physician, 104(7), 673-680.
• Schneider, J. A. (2022). The role of spirituality in health care. American Journal of Public Health, 112(1), 62-64.
• Spirituality in Healthcare: A Comprehensive Guide (2019). Health Care Chaplaincy Network.
• Vietze, A. L., & Matz, M. (2020). Addressing patients' cultural and spiritual needs in hospitals. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 35(4), 309-315.
• World Health Organization. (2018). Integrating health services with spirituality. Retrieved from www.who.int