The female client belongs to a religious community that requires women

The female client belongs to a religious community that requires women to dress conservatively in clothing that covers the arms and the knees. This client expresses concern that her body will be exposed during a scheduled cardiac catheterization.

How should the nurse respond to this concern?
1. Tell the client that medical personnel have seen so many people’s bodies that they don’t even notice any longer.
2. Make a note in the client’s chart that she is particularly modest.
3. Explain to the client that in order to perform the study, her body must be exposed.
4. Ask the cath lab charge nurse to come to the client’s room to talk with her about the concerns.

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Although medical personnel are often exposed to unclothed bodies, that information will not make this client more at ease.
Rationale 2: Just making a note in the chart is not sufficient.
Rationale 3: This is not sufficient to meet the client’s needs.
Rationale 4: The best plan is to have the cath lab charge nurse talk to the client about her concerns. The charge nurse can then assure the client that even though a small part of her body must be exposed, her modesty will be protected.