Reference no: EM133922178

Question

An Iraqi American male, age 59, is admitted to the intensive care unit of a large urban hospital during Ramadan. Hassan, who identifies as a Shiite Muslim, has multiple traumatic injuries, including fractured leg, following a motor vehicle accident while driving his taxi. Although the hospital staff are aware that male Muslim patients generally request to be cared for by male nurses, only female RNs are on duty in the ICU when Hassan is admitted. Hassan requires assistance with personal hygiene, dressing, shaving, bathing, wound care, physical therapy, and medication administration. He refuses to be cared for by females, due to cultural beliefs; insists on fasting during daylight hours during Ramadan; and wants privacy so he can pray five times daily, do ritual washing before eating, and adhere to other religious practices. Hassan's wife is present, but she speaks very little English.

1. How will the female nurses in the ICU manage the gender-specific needs of the patient without violating his ethno-religious beliefs and practices?

2. How might interprofessional collaboration among nurses, physicians, physical therapists, dieticians, social workers, and other health professionals foster culturally competent and congruent care for the patient?

3. Given that the patient's wife understands and speaks only a little English, what characteristics are important in locating an interpreter for her?

4. The patient has indicated Shiite Muslim as his religion on the admission form. How do you determine if it's appropriate to contact the hospital chaplaincy office to locate an imam (Muslim religious leader) to visit the patient?

5. What other questions would you like to ask the patient to ensure that you provide culturally congruent nursing and health care for him in the ICU?