A client who is devoutly Jewish is hospitalized during Yom Kippur, a t

A client who is devoutly Jewish is hospitalized during Yom Kippur, a time when many of the Jewish faith fast. The client expresses a desire to follow this religious pattern. How should the nurse respond to this wish?

1. Support the client’s desires to the extent possible.
2. Remind the client that most religions excuse persons who are ill from fasting.
3. Attempt to convince the client to ignore the tradition due to illness.
4. Tell the client that the physician must make this decision.

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The nurse should support the client’s desires to the extent possible.
Rationale 2: Because this client is a devout follower of Jewish tradition, it is not up to the nurse to instruct the client regarding Jewish law.
Rationale 3: The nurse should not attempt to convince the client to ignore the tradition.
Rationale 4: The physician also cannot ethically make this decision for the client.