Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which term describes actions allowing a nurse to support cultural practices in health care?

1. Accommodation

2. Brokering

3. Preservation

4. Integration

The correct answer is: Accommodation

Accommodation refers to the process of adjusting practices and services to align with the cultural needs and preferences of patients. This concept is crucial in healthcare as it emphasizes the importance of recognizing and respecting diverse cultural practices while providing care. By accommodating cultural practices, nurses can create an environment that supports patient comfort, trust, and engagement, ultimately leading to better health outcomes. In contrast, brokering involves acting as an intermediary between diverse cultural groups and the healthcare system, which may not directly emphasize the supportive actions towards cultural practices. Preservation implies maintaining and protecting cultural practices, but may not interpret them into the healthcare setting effectively. Integration refers to merging or combining different cultural practices into a single cohesive approach, which might not always acknowledge the unique aspects of individual cultures. Each of these terms plays a role in cultural competence in healthcare, but accommodation stands out as the most direct method for supporting and adapting to the cultural needs of patients.