While assessing an older Vietnamese client, the nurse notes several ov

While assessing an older Vietnamese client, the nurse notes several oval-shaped reddened areas on her back and arms. The client’s daughter explains them to be the result of a traditional healing practice called “cupping.”

The nurse’s immediate reaction should be to:
1. Report the finding to the authorities to rule out physical abuse
2. Ask the daughter to explain the practice in detail
3. Notify the client’s health care provider to see if treatment is necessary
4. Document the assessment findings in the nursing notes

ANSWER

ANS: 2
Many Southeast-Asian cultures practice folk remedies such as coining, cupping, pinching, and burning to relieve aches and pains and remove bad wind or noxious elements that cause illness. These remedies leave peculiar visible markings on the skin in the form of ecchymosis, superficial burns, strap marks, or local tenderness. Cultural ignorance causes a practitioner to call authorities for suspicion of abuse. Nurses need to investigate to determine the details of the practice in order to decide whether the practice needs to be changed. Consultation and collaboration with herbal-ists and other naturalistic practitioners will prevent unnecessary distress for the client. While re-porting the finding to authorities should not be dismissed, the nurse should first discuss the prac-tice with the daughter to learn more of the details regarding the practice. The client’s health care provider should be notified, however, the nurse’s assessment of the areas as “reddened areas” suggests that other options may have priority. Documentation of the assessment findings is cer-tainly appropriate and is a nursing responsibility, but acquiring an explanation from the daughter who is present would have priority.