Aminiah Hussain Scenario 1
After obtaining report, the nurse looks in the computer for Aminiah's prenatal record and lab reports. She is Blood type A+, Rubella immune, and GBS negative. The nurse enters Aminiah's room to begin the initial admission assessment. SELECT THE FIRST TWO NURSING ACTIONS IN THE ORDER THAT THEY SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED:
1Wash hands and introduce self to the client and her husband.Washing hands upon entering the room is a priority for prevention of infection. Introductions before touching the client is professional behavior.
2Ask client and her husband what they prefer to be called.Use of first names and surnames vary among cultural groups, so nurses should not make assumptions, because of the use of a person's first name may be considered disrespectful. If the person has a title, such as doctor, it should be used. The nurse should ask what the person prefers to be called and record this in the health record for future reference.
3Ask if there is need for an interpreter or translator and any specific privacy needs during the assessment.Speaking and reading may not occur in the same language. Interpreter is for oral communication and translator for written words. Individuals should be asked about their privacy needs and reservations related to touching, assessments, and gender of the healthcare personnel.
4Ask permission prior to touching the patient. Obtain her vital signs, fetal heart tones, and perform a pain assessment. Ask about time of rupture of membranes and observe color of fluid.The appropriateness of touch varies with each culture. Establish rapport with introductions and make sure client understands prior to touching her to obtain vital signs and fetal heart tones. This action determines the stability of the mother and fetus with a baseline. A change in status can often be detected by a change of vital signs or fetal heart tones. Timing of ROM and characteristics of fluid also should be assessed.
5Educate client about the status of the fetal heart tones.Since the mother is anxious, reassurance can be given by explaining what the nurse assessed about her baby.Aminiah Hussain Scenario 2
The nurse completes an initial assessment. T 37 C, 98.6 F, P 80 bpm, regular; R 18 breaths/min., regular; BP 118/78 mmHg; 0/10 Pain. FHR 140, moderate variability, 2 accelerations to 155 in 20 minutes. No contractions on EFM. The client wishes to be called Aminiah and her husband prefers to be called Dr. Hussain. He doesn't think they need an interpreter but would like written information about the induction. Dr. Hussain states he will answer questions for his wife and sign any consent forms. Aminiah nods her head that this arrangement is "OK" with her. The nurse now continues with a cultural and spiritual assessment and selects questions to be asked during the assessment as nursing actions. SELECT THE FIRST TWO NURSING ACTIONS IN THE ORDER THAT THEY SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED:
1Who do you want to be with you in labor?Social class and cultural norms also affect these roles including specific roles for men and women. In the Muslim culture, women assume the traditional role to bear children. Children are highly valued and contraception is not used. Arabic families usually view the birthing process as a female affair. Women defer to their husbands in decision making. This first question addresses the first issue -presence during labor.
2What can your labor support person do to help you be most comfortable during labor?Nurses should exercise sensitivity in working with every family, being careful to assess the ways in which they apply their own mixture of cultural traditions. This second question will clarify the role of the client's husband.
3What actions are important for you and your family immediately after the baby's birth?Nurses should ask questions about cultural or spiritual rituals at the time of birth or in the early newborn days which are a part of their belief system. Spirituality is a component of holistic nursing and thus a professional responsibility. Chronologically, this will be after delivery.
4What do you expect from the nurses caring for you during the postpartum period?Nurses may be requested to provide the time and space for these rituals to occur. There may prayers, spiritual rituals, or other actions during the newborn and postpartum period.
5How will other members of your family participate in the care of you and the new baby once you go home?Family roles involve the expectations and behaviors associated with the members position in the larger family system. These options are in order of the birth process and provide a chronological order for the questions.