Question

Sue is a postpartum nurse in a busy community hospital. She is caring for Ms. Morales, a patient who just gave birth to her first child. Ms. Morales’ native language is Spanish, and she has a limited understanding of English. Her brother, who’s in the room with her, understands and speaks perfect English. Because he is proficient in the English language, Ms. Morales’ brother states he is the best person to translate for her. While making rounds, Sue (using the brother to translate), asks Ms. Morales how much post-partum vaginal bleeding she is having. Ms. Morales looks uncomfortable by this question, and answers, “None, everything is fine.”

How can Sue, the nurse, deliver culturally competent nursing care in this situation? What are some next steps?

(See Cultural Self-Awareness Exercise on next page.)

Cultural Self-Awareness Exercise

Purpose: Completing the follow self-awareness exercise will help you clarify your attitudes and beliefs, and how these might influence your ability to work with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions. They are intended only to help you explore your own thoughts on culture. I promise that I will not judge or pass any thoughts on you for answering these questions honestly.

Instructions: In the following table, there is a list of individuals. Read down the list and decide if you would avoid, greet, help, or advocate for each of these individuals. Try to respond honestly, not as you think would be socially or professionally desirable. You will not be asked to share your answers out loud.

Description of Levels of Response:

Avoid: I would have to avoid this person due to my personal beliefs, values, and morals.

Greet: I could say “Hi” to this person, but that would be it.

Help: I could genuinely try to help this person with his/her problems.

Advocate: I could honestly be an advocate for this person.

Individual	Your Level of Response
	Avoid	Greet	Help	Advocate
Haitian
Child Abuser
Jewish person
Person with hemophilia
Neo-Nazi
Mexican American
IV drug user
Senile, elderly person
Prostitute
Jehovah’s Witness
Gay/Lesbian
Person with AIDS
African American
Amputee
Klu Kluz Klansman
Alcoholic
Person with Cancer
Hispanic
Amish person
Atheist
Morbidly obese
Mean client yelling at you
Transgender patient

Answer 1