A client of Italian heritage has only lived in the United States altho

QUESTION

A client of Italian heritage has only lived in the United States although both parents were born in Italy. What should the nurse expect when caring for this client?

1. The client has maintained a life totally consistent with Italian values and beliefs.
2. The client is completely acculturated to the American way of life.
3. The client’s beliefs and values are probably a mix of the Italian beliefs and values of the parents and the values and beliefs of America.
4. The client knows how to speak Italian and English.

ANSWER:

Correct Answer: 3

The client has an integration of two cultures. Children whose parents are from two different cultures may grow up in an environment that practices and respects both cultures. So, the nurse may expect that, after which the nurse will conduct a cultural assessment to extract pertinent cultural information relative to the client. Acculturation, also referred to as assimilation, is the integration of the cultural patterns of the dominant or host culture into the person’s way of life. The client would have begun to assimilate the dominant culture into her belief system. It is unlikely that the client would retain strictly Italian beliefs after living in the United States for a prolonged period. Spector suggests that it takes three generations for a family to become fully assimilated into the American culture. The client is only second generation and may not be fully assimilated. It can not be assumed that the client can speak both Italian and English. A through cultural assessment should be completed to determine the client’s cultural needs.