The nurse is caring for a homeless client who recently emigrated from

The nurse is caring for a homeless client who recently emigrated from China. The client has a language barrier, and the hospital has been unsuccessful in locating any relatives.

The health care provider is considering the option of placing the client on a respirator to manage a severe respiratory tract problem. To be a caring advocate for this client, the nurse must first:
1. Ask the hospital chaplain to arrange for appropriate religious support
2. Be sure that the client receives the best available care for his condition
3. Arrange for a Chinese interpreter to facilitate client-staff conversations
4. Become familiar with the Chinese culture’s attitudes regarding life support

ANSWER

ANS: 4
To caringly advocate for this client, the nurse must first be familiar with the client’s cultural prac-tices regarding life support. Arranging for religious support is appropriate only if the general cul-ture indicates a reliance on religion and/or if the interpreter determined it was a client need.
While being sure the client receives the best available care for his condition is certainly the role of a nurse advocate, it is only after the nurse caringly “knows” the client that it can be determined what the best care really is for this client. Arranging for an interpreter will assist in “knowing” the client, which will aid in becoming the client’s advocate.