Question

You are the nurse trying to get a medical history from Mrs. Jodom, a Navajo woman. After you ask the initial question, Mrs. Jodom silent. In addition, when you speak to her, Mrs. Jodom stares at the floor. You assume Mrs. Jodom is just shy and perhaps is having trouble understanding your questions.

Question:

Consider your role as the nurse taking the history for this patient. From our in-class readings, is it safe to assume Mrs. Jodom is just shy and does not understand, or is this a cultural norm for the Navajo? What interventions could you, as the nurse, take to better communicate with this patient?

Answer 1

Nurses therapeutic relationship will be effective and nurse must establish trust and respect with the patients. Cultural perspective important part of trusting. That may harm the patient when there is mistrust. Some cultures like Navajo need moral responsibility expected from the patient. Navajo women speak a different language. Navajo women have core social and economic control from their culture. To do the nursing intervention effective cultural belief, values, communication is important, which is called transcultural care. when there is a english conversation unknown language makes the patient with uncomfortable silence and makes delay response there will be mistrust and misinterpret between nurse and patient. Mrs.Jodom is just shy and does not understand the nurse's conversation. Professional interpreter can improve communication with the patient by using proper resources, which increase patient satisfaction and communication. Qualified professional interpreter help for nurses to communicate effectively with patient in difficult language and culture