Reply to classmates’ post, 125 words each, 1 scholarly reference for each

post 1

Human beings have different cultural values and practices, which may be seen as abuse amongst individuals who do not subscribe to the practices. For instance, some communities practice female genital mutilation; however, the communities, which do not practice female genital mutilation, may consider this act as abuse to female children. During such cases, a nurse should consider and respect a patient’s autonomy; therefore, no nurse should ridicule or make fun of such marks (Sharifi et al., 2019). In this scenario, handling the information can be a challenge to a less culturally competent individual; however, I will assure the patient that nobody will gain this information without her consent.

According to my Christian worldview, all human beings are created equally; therefore, we should respect one another, notwithstanding the differences in culture and values. Moreover, from the biblical story of creation, human beings have a role in caring for all God’s creations, including their fellow human beings; therefore, I will treat the patient as an equal human being who deserves respect. Nurses and healthcare providers have an obligation to provide culturally competent care; however, they cannot actualize this dream without obtaining accurate cultural information from their patients. Consequently, the key elements to accurately obtaining cultural information include involving patients in the healthcare decision-making process, engaging the family members in interviews, and soliciting support from the senior nurses with information regarding the patient’s culture (Maragh-Bass et al., 2017). In addition, the hospital can employ translators who can freely interact with the patient in their local dialect to facilitate communication between the patient and the medical team.

post 2

Cutting is a form of self-injury by making small cuts on the body, normally along the arms or legs however other forms include scratching, burning, carving words or symbols, self-hitting, piercing of the skin with sharp objects, and inserting objects under the skin (2018). Cutting is a method in which individuals control emotional pain (Davis). This coping mechanism typically occurs in kids around age 14 with a higher number of girls than boys. Some patients will learn more effective coping skills to manage their emotional state however some will continue this behavior well into their 30s (Davis). Cutting is often a patient hidden secret that once discovered can be misconstrued as suicidal behavior. Clinical symptoms of a cutter would include pattern scars, fresh cuts, scratches, bruises, bite marks, excessive rubbing to an area to create a burn, keeping sharp objects on hand, wearing long sleeves or pants even during warmer weather, frequent accidental injury reports, interpersonal relationship difficulties, behavioral and emotional instability, feeling helplessness or hopelessness (2018).

The student nurse must learn to tread lightly when confronting this patient about such a secretive coping mechanism. Collecting further information relating to the patients mental health status, injury history, stressors, friends, and family relationship status could open the door for further discussion on the root cause for cutting. Clearly the patient has an emotional struggle and depending on the age of the patient the plan of action may be different. If the patient were a minor, then the responsible guardians would be included in conversations about concerns and available mental health services. If the guardians of the patient may be the cause of the emotional dysfunction then the nursing student and nursing educator will need to advise the hospital or doctors office for further instruction which may include notification to children services.

Christianity is the foundation for established nursing care. The field of nursing has been called a calling from God and defined as a ministry of compassionate care for the whole person, in response to Gods grace toward a sinful world (Shelly & Miller, 2006). The Christian perspective within health care is centered on ones relationship with God through peace, prosperity, rest, safety, security, justice, happiness, health, welfare, and wholeness (Shelly & Miller, 2006). Nurses are to provide care to their patients with compassion with a main focus on fostering optimum health and comfort to patients suffering or in the dying process with the overall knowledge that the illness or disease process is Gods will to teach a lesson of patience and fortitude (Walters, 2016).