CoaH

SAS #7

1. A

Today, spirituality is often defined as an awareness of one's inner self and a sense of connection
to a higher being, to nature, or to some purpose greater than oneself. Spirituality is an important
factor that helps individuals achieve the balance needed to maintain health and
well-being and to cope with illness. It positively affects and enhances health, quality of life,
health promotion behaviors, and disease prevention activities. Nurses need an awareness of their
own spirituality to provide appropriate and relevant spiritual care to others. The concepts of
spirituality and religion are often interchanged, but spirituality is a much broader and more
unifying concept than religion. The human spirit is powerful, and spirituality has different
meanings for different people.

2. B
Some individuals do not believe in the existence of God (atheist) or believe that there is no
known ultimate reality (agnostic). This does not mean that spirituality is not an important
concept for the atheist or the agnostic. Atheists search for meaning in life through their work and
their relationships with others. Agnostics discover meaning in what they do or how they live
because they find no ultimate meaning for the way things are. They believe that people bring
meaning to what they do.

3. B
When a person has the attitude of something to look forward to, hope is present. Religion refers
to the system of organized beliefs and worship that a person practices to outwardly express
spirituality. This is not evident here. Agnostics believe that there is no known ultimate
reality. This would indicate a lack of belief in life after death. The horizontal dimension of
spiritual well-being describes positive relationships and connections people have with others. In
this case, the patient is more concerned with the vertical dimension, which supports the
transcendent relationship with God or some other higher power.

4. D
These statements are reasonable and are not contradictory. Many people tend to use the terms
spirituality and religion interchangeably. Although closely associated, these terms are not
synonymous. Religious practices encompass spirituality, but spirituality does not need to include
religious practice. When a person has the attitude of something to live for and look forward to,
hope is present.

5. B
Spirituality is a complex concept that is unique to each individual. Religion refers to the system
of organized beliefs and worship that a person practices to outwardly express spirituality. People
from different religions view spirituality differently. Although closely associated, spirituality and
religion are not synonymous. Religious practices encompass spirituality, but spirituality does not
need to include religious practice.

6. C
Spiritual care helps people identify meaning and purpose in life, look beyond the present, and
maintain personal relationships, as well as a relationship with a higher being or life force. The
patient may need psychiatric care and may be transferred to the psychiatric unit, but referral to
pastoral care will not provide that. Return to a religious affiliation may follow a return to
spiritual health.

7. C
The nurse's relationship with the patient allows the nurse to understand the patient's priorities.
Spiritual priorities do not need to be sacrificed for physical care priorities. When a patient is
terminally ill, spiritual care is possibly the most important nursing intervention. If the patient
participates in a formal religion, involve in the plan of care members of the clergy or members of
the church, temple, mosque, or synagogue.

8. C
Establishing presence is part of the art of nursing. Presence involves "being with" a patient
versus "doing for" a patient. Demonstrate a caring presence by listening to the patient's concerns
and willingly involving family in discussions about the patient's health. The nurse should support
patients as they make decisions about their health. If at all possible, the nurse should encourage
the patient to maintain as much independence as possible. Inserting a rectal tube involves "doing
for" instead of "being with." Placing the patient on the bedpan is against
the patient's wishes and is another form of "doing for."

9. A, B, C, D

One critical thinking model for spiritual health evaluation lists the evaluation process as
including a review of the patient's self-perception regarding spiritual health, the patient's view of
his/her purpose in life, discussion with the family and close associates about the patient's
connectedness, and determining whether the patient's expectations are being met. Attainment of
spiritual health is a lifelong goal.

10. D
A decreased appetite and level of energy and not wanting to be involved in care are signs of
hopelessness. The nurse should assess for risk of the patient harming himself or others. The
nurse should set goals that are important to the patient. Recommending good sleep hygiene
habits is more appropriate than giving over-the-counter sleep aids.