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Difficulty: MediumReligious and Spiritual Influences on Health

A nurse is admitting a client who is a practicing Seventh-day Adventist for an elective surgical procedure. During the admission assessment, the client appears visibly anxious and states, "I just realized my surgery is scheduled for this Saturday morning." Which of the following is the priority nursing action?

  1. Contact the healthcare provider to discuss rescheduling the procedure to accommodate the client's religious observance.Answer
  2. B
    Reassure the client that the healthcare team will ensure the procedure is brief so they can return to their prayers.
  3. C
    Document the client's expressed anxiety and continue completing the routine preoperative checklist.
  4. D
    Automatically order a strict vegetarian postoperative diet to respect the client's religious dietary laws.

Answer

Contact the healthcare provider to discuss rescheduling the procedure to accommodate the client's religious observance.
The correct action directly addresses the client's immediate spiritual conflict. For practicing Seventh-day Adventists, the Sabbath is strictly observed from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday, during which secular activities, including elective medical procedures, are typically avoided. The priority is to advocate for the client by collaborating with the provider to reschedule the elective surgery, thereby respecting their religious practices, preserving their autonomy, and alleviating their anxiety.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the core issue causing the client's distress.
The client is anxious because an elective surgery is scheduled on a Saturday.
Understanding the trigger for anxiety is essential for determining the appropriate intervention.
2
Recall specific religious practices for Seventh-day Adventists.
Seventh-day Adventists observe the Sabbath from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday.
Cultural and religious competence requires knowing how specific beliefs impact healthcare preferences, such as avoiding elective procedures on the Sabbath.
3
Determine the priority nursing intervention based on the assessment.
The nurse must act as an advocate to resolve the scheduling conflict.
Addressing the immediate spiritual and psychosocial conflict takes priority over routine tasks or unverified dietary assumptions.

Key Concept

Accommodating religious practices and acting as a client advocate to alleviate spiritual distress.
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Topics

Religious and Spiritual Influences on Health

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