Our orders are delivered strictly on time without delay
Our orders are delivered strictly on time without delay
What are the differences that may affect Cuban-American patients who immigrated at different times?
What can a nurse do to make life in the hospital more culture-specific for an Amish client?
List at least two etiological reasons for the development of alcoholism within an Irish-American family.
To make the hospital experience more culture-specific and supportive for an Amish client, a nurse can focus on two key areas: respecting modesty/separation and facilitating communication with the community.
Respecting Modesty and Gender Separation: The Amish value modesty and often adhere to strict rules regarding body exposure and interaction between genders.
Action: When performing assessments or procedures, the nurse should ensure maximum privacy by using curtains or gowns and only exposing the necessary body part. If a female client is being treated, the hospital should attempt to assign female staff (nurses, aides) for personal care and hygiene, if possible, especially if the client is married.
Facilitating Community and Family Support: The Amish community operates as a strong, interdependent unit. Health decisions are often communal, and patients rely heavily on family and church members for spiritual and physical support during illness.
Action: A nurse should recognize and accommodate the need for a large number of visitors (family and church members) who are often integral to the patient's emotional well-being and care coordination. The nurse should also identify the Bishop or Deacon as the key liaison for communication regarding major ethical or care decisions, as the patient may defer to community leadership on matters that conflict with their beliefs (e.g., life support, blood transfusions).
Two primary etiological reasons for the development of alcoholism within an Irish-American family context involve the interaction of cultural norms, social environment, and genetic predisposition.
Cultural Acceptance and Normalization of Heavy Drinking: Historically, within some segments of Irish and Irish-American culture, the consumption of alcohol, particularly in social and celebratory settings, has been highly normalized and socially ritualized. Drinking may be seen as a central component of social bonding, mourning, and leisure. This cultural permissiveness serves as a powerful environmental factor, leading to:
Early Exposure: Children and adolescents may be exposed to and introduced to alcohol earlier in life.
Failure to Recognize Harm: Heavy episodic drinking is often viewed as normal, making it difficult for individuals and family members to identify and acknowledge when the behavior crosses the line into alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Genetic Predisposition and Family History: Like all populations, Irish-Americans carry a genetic risk for AUD. If the cultural acceptance of drinking is layered over a family history of alcoholism, the risk becomes compounded. AUD is highly inheritable. The presence of a parent or close relative with AUD creates a dual risk:
Biological Risk: Inheriting genes that affect alcohol metabolism, brain reward pathways, or tolerance.
Modeling Risk: The environment provides a potent model where the child learns that excessive alcohol consumption is a coping mechanism for stress, thereby increasing the likelihood of developing AUD themselves.