The Is The Ultimate Decider

Health in all cultures is an important aspect of life. A person’s cultural background, religion and/or beliefs, greatly influences a person’s health and their response to medical care (Spector, 2004). These diverse cultures guide decisions made in daily life; what food eaten, living arrangements made, medications taken and medical advice listened to. A nurse must be knowledgeable and respectful of these diverse cultures and understand their importance when providing care. This understanding helps to build a strong nurse/patient relationship, increasing patient compliance, which ensures positive outcomes are met. Patients who are satisfied

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) is commonly found in the intestines of birds. It is uncommon for the influenza to infect humans but there have been confirmed cases of human infection since 1997. Normally people acquire the infection via domesticated birds such as chickens, turkeys and ducks. The virus is secreted by the birds through their feces, salvia and nasal secretions. Symptoms of the flu are very similar to those of other types of influenza and include: fever, fatigue, sore throat, coughs, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, chest pain and muscle aches. As of January 2007, the World Health Organization

The care of dying patients and their relatives is one of the most difficult aspects of a doctor 's job. Enabling an individual to die with dignity can also be deeply rewarding. Britain today is a cosmopolitan society made up of people from numerous religious and cultural traditions. The care of patients with backgrounds different from one 's own requires knowledge and skills. There are approximately 2 million Muslims in the UK1.

Historically, Muslim interaction with our healthcare is tangled between religion and their history in our country. Specific believes have always played a role in the ability for women to attend a health care establishment or undergoing daily assessments from a health provider.

The first step to properly caring for a patient is acceptance. A nurse must accept the fact that not everyone is the same. Communities consist of many diverse ethnicities and spiritual practices. A nurse has to learn how to throw out all the judge mental thoughts of an individual and try to view the situation through the eyes of the patient. To be culturally competent in the professional practice of nursing, a health care worker must show respect. Health care workers cannot force a patient to go through with a procedure. The individual must respect the wishes of the patient to deny medical care whether it be because of spiritual reasons or just fear of the unknown. Most importantly, a health care worker must be culturally competent in order to avoid misdiagnosis of a patient. Judging a

Sometimes a translator may be of the highest regard. Though needing a translator is possible, it is unlikely due to the fact that most Lebanese are fluent in two or three languages. “While Arabic is Lebanon’s official language, English and French are widely spoken” (“What languages are spoken in Lebanon?,” 2012). When communicating, it is important to have limited eye contact with the client. Staring or displaying frequent directness can be interpreted as rude (Muslim Culture, 2014). “Muslim Culture,” further informs: “calling them by their first name or their last name without the prefix of Mr., Mrs., or Miss is considered impolite among Muslims” (2014). To show respect for the patient’s privacy, a nurse should always knock before entering the patient’s room (Muslim Culture, 2014). Also keep in mind, shaking the head back and forth to say “No” means “Yes” in the Middle East (Muslim Culture, 2014). Though this fact is noteworthy, it is likely that a person from the Middle East living in or visiting the United States understands the American meaning of this action. Furthermore, people from the Middle East usually dress in a more reserved fashion than Americans; long dress, long sleeves, raised neckline, and head covering. If the hospital gown provided is not to their needs, they should be permitted to wear

It’s very important to be sensitive to their spiritual needs as well as their significance five K’s (forms of religious symbols or articles of faith) which they choose to wear all the times during their hospitalization. The five K’s are Kesh (long uncut hair), Kanga (wooden comb), a steel bracelet known as Kara, their underwear known as kachhehra and their cermoneal sword called as kirpenn. Health care professionals should inform the Sikh patient and their families the importance of to remove their five K’s during hospitalization or prior to any procedure and should hand it to their family or kept in safe with personal belongings ("Sikh patient’s protocol," 2001).

A big concern for Muslim patients while in the hospital is medications. There are several medications Muslims are prohibited from taking. Certain cough syrups cannot be taken due to the alcohol in it, for Muslim law forbids alcohol consumption (Al-Oraibi, 2009.) Muslim patients may also refuse medications containing gelatin, which is often derived from pigs (Al-Oraibi,

Many misconceptions with the Muslim religion is that the male is the head of the family and all decisions are made by him, however that is not the case. Yes, the male is the leader in the family, but medical decisions are made as a family mostly by the elders’ due to them being the controlling force in the family and with increased age comes increased respect and authority (AFIC 2012). Keeping physical contact to a minimal unless it is necessary for examination, if that is the case, ensure the gowns are beyond arm and feet length. If those gowns aren’t available, patient should be allowed to wear their own gowns. Be clear on the procedure that is being done as well on the purpose for the procedure to provide a clear understanding and trust between the patient.

A Muslim woman was pregnant and nearing her due date. When it came time for her delivery, the only available Gynecologist was male and went through with the standard procedure and she delivered a healthy baby boy. The woman however, was shunned from her community because the doctor was a man who was not her husband. Situations such as these are important to keep in mind when providing care to patients. The Arabic family also was more open to natural medicine and homeopathic medicine and sought to find a way to cure themselves before seeking outside help at a medical facility.

Ramadan: Celebrates the gift of the Qur 'an. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims must fast between sunrise and sunset.

The United States population has been described as a “melting pot” and continues to increase in diversity. A patient’s culture has a significant influence on how their health care should be provided. It is vital for nurses as health care providers to be culturally competent and knowledgeable of the patient’s culture to deliver appropriate, holistic care (Potter & Perry, 2011). This paper will discuss the Arab culture and focus mainly on what to do and not to do as a nurse rendering care to an Arab patient.

The fourth pillar of the Five Pillars of Islam is fasting during Ramadan. Ramadan is a sacred holiday in the Muslim faith. It falls in the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and is a celebration of Muhammad’s first revelations from God. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until dusk. This continues until the end of the month, when a celebratory feast

Islamic Religious Perspectives on Food According to the Quran, the holy book of Islam, the only foods that were strictly forbidden are; meats from animals that are killed, pig meat, blood, and animals dedicated to things other than God. It is also important within the culture to continue with the many dietary rituals like abstaining from alcohol and praying over their meals. The Islamic culture is very rich in rules, orders, and practices derived from the Quran, and from The Prophet Muhammad, who was said to be chosen by God and given the responsibility of conveying and reciting the message of the Quran to all of the humankind.

Arab is not a race, but is a group of individuals that are united by their culture and history (ADC, 2014). There are many different variations commonly based on a particular individual’s country of origin such as Arab Americans. Other variations are based on their social class, the level of their education, if they live urbanely or rurally, or the time they have spent in the United States (Lipson & Dubble, 2007). Most Arabs also practice Islamic religion and are Muslim. When working with an Arab or Muslim client, nurses should ask what the client wishes to be referred to so as not to offend them in any way (Lipson & Dubble, 2007).