A Native American resident wishes to have a tribal healing ceremony performed in his hospital room before surgery. The best response is to

A Native American resident wishes to have a tribal healing ceremony performed in his hospital room before surgery. The best response is to

• A. Remind the patient of the hospital's visitation policies
• B. Suggest waiting until after the surgery
• C. Report the request to the nurse
• D. Instruct the patient to discuss the request with the doctor

Answer: (C)

Respecting a patient’s spiritual and cultural needs while keeping safety and hospital policies in mind is essential. A tribal healing ceremony can be an important part of the patient’s comfort before surgery, and the nurse is the best point of contact to coordinate this request. The nurse can assess any safety considerations, involve the appropriate spiritual care providers (such as a chaplain or the tribal healer, if available), and work with the surgical team to ensure the ceremony does not interfere with sterile technique, infection control, or the surgical schedule. This approach supports the patient’s beliefs while maintaining safe, high-quality care. Reminding about visitation policies doesn’t directly address the patient’s need for the ceremony. Waiting until after surgery would ignore the patient’s cultural or spiritual needs during a time of stress. Instructing the patient to discuss it with the doctor bypasses the collaborative coordination that the nursing team provides in balancing beliefs with safety and care plans.

Respecting a patient’s spiritual and cultural needs while keeping safety and hospital policies in mind is essential. A tribal healing ceremony can be an important part of the patient’s comfort before surgery, and the nurse is the best point of contact to coordinate this request. The nurse can assess any safety considerations, involve the appropriate spiritual care providers (such as a chaplain or the tribal healer, if available), and work with the surgical team to ensure the ceremony does not interfere with sterile technique, infection control, or the surgical schedule. This approach supports the patient’s beliefs while maintaining safe, high-quality care.

Reminding about visitation policies doesn’t directly address the patient’s need for the ceremony. Waiting until after surgery would ignore the patient’s cultural or spiritual needs during a time of stress. Instructing the patient to discuss it with the doctor bypasses the collaborative coordination that the nursing team provides in balancing beliefs with safety and care plans.