Cultural Diversity NCLEX-RN Review Questions
Using the internet, research the topics in each question to determine the best answer. After
completing the questions, explain to the class how you arrived at the answers and include a
discussion on the definition of each new word.
1. When providing care for an African-American client, it is important for the nurse to
remember that African-American’s are perceived as being:
a. Polychromic
b. Monochromic
c. Polymorphic
d. Monomorphic
2. To reduce polychromic effects while caring for an African American client, the nurse
should:
a. Permit the client to have frequent, constant interruptions.
b. Allow the client to keep the perception of the need for order.
c. Allow the client to structure activities in a ranked order that will produce maximal
benefit.
d. Assist the client to structure activities in a ranked order that will produce maximal
benefits.
3. You are taking care of an African American female who recently had a cerebrovascular
accident, leaving her unable to talk. As you attempt to give her medications with her
milk on her tray, she resists. After explaining the importance of taking her medications,
and on time, your client reluctantly takes the medications with milk. Later she has a large
diarrhea stool. What biological variation should have been considered with this client?
a. Lactose intolerance is high among African Americans
b. Hypertension is high among African Americans
c. Tuberculosis is high among African Americans
d. Dietary variations may cause diarrhea in African Americans
4. Mexican Americans tend to subscribe to which of the following beliefs?
a. Smooth and dark
b. Yin and yang and light and dark
c. Hot and cold and wet and dry
d. Black and white
5. Mrs. M, a Mexican American who just gave birth, tells the nurse not to include certain
foods on her meal tray because her mother told her to avoid those foods while
breastfeeding. The nurse tells her that she doesn’t have to avoid any foods and should eat
whatever she desires. This demonstrates:
a. Cultural relativism
b. Ethnocentrism
c. Assimilation
d. Subculture
6. To plan effective care, the nurse needs to understand that the family characteristic
reflecting the world view of a Hispanic American family that will most affect how
decisions are made about care is:
a. The mother as head of the household
b. The father as the authority figure
c. Giving considerable freedom to women
d. Using emotional communication styles
7. John Ahiga, a Navajo, often arrives late when medications are being dispensed on a
psychiatric unit. As his nurse you understand that this patient is:
a. Receiving hallucinogenic drugs
b. Demonstrating present time orientation
c. Demonstrating past time orientation
d. Demonstrating future time orientation
8. The style of communication that would be most effective for a culturally competent nurse
to adopt during an assessment interview with a 30 year old Navajo client would be:
a. The frequent use of nonverbal behaviors such as gesturing, smiling and making
wry faces.
b. A loud voice, unbroken eye contact, minimal gesturing, and straight to the point
questions
c. To be open and friendly, ask direct questions and touch the client’s arm or hand
occasionally for reassurance.
d. A soft voice, avoiding eye contact, with general leads and reflective techniques.
9. When providing nursing care for someone of the Navajo Indian culture, the nurse should
remember:
a. To make frequent eye contact
b. To avoid eye contact
c. To shake hands firmly
d. To use pointing to assist with communication
10. In the treatment of hypertension for a Japanese client, the nurse needs to stress to the
family and client the importance of limiting:
a. Pepper
b. Soy sauce
c. Tofu
d. Milk
11. When seeking counseling, in assessing a Japanese American student in the mental health
center, the nurse is aware that this client is more apt to seek counseling for:
a. Academic difficulties
b. Emotional conflict
c. Family problems
d. Loss of self esteem
12. The majority of communication of feelings and attitudes among Japanese Americans is:
a. Verbal
b. Vocal
c. Facial expression
d. Touch
13. Mr. Chan, an 81 year old Chinese American man, has been admitted to the hospital for
abdominal pain. His oldest son answers questions for him and expresses his needs. Mr.
Chan’s wife, who does speak English although not fluently, defers to the son when asked
to participate in discussion. This is an example of:
a. The cultural value of male female hierarchy
b. The cultural value of giving authority for decision making to the young
c. An attempt by the son to gain control of the situation
d. The need for family members to participate in care giving decisions
14. A Chinese American who is experiencing a symptom such as diarrhea (which is felt to be
“yin”) is likely to try to treat it with:
a. High doses of medicines thought to be “cold”
b. No treatment at all, since diarrhea is an expected part of life
c. Foods that are “hot” or “yang”
d. Readings and Eastern medicine meditations
15. People from Chinese American cultures, although valuing family, are generally more
often inclined toward individualistic behavior.
a. True
b. False
16. A nurse in a doctor’s office explains to a Vietnamese female client the medication
regimen for the prescription the client has been given. The client nods her head and
smiles as the explanation is given. However, in 2 weeks she returns. Her condition has
deteriorated, and the nurse discovers that she has not taken any medication. Initially, the
nurse should:
a. Find out if she understood the instruction as they were provided in English
b. Firmly explain that she needs this medication to improve
c. Call in the client’s husband and explain the schedule again
d. Provide her with printed directions in Vietnamese on how to take the medication
17. Mrs. Nguyen, a Vietnamese client, is to undergo cancer surgery. She seemed frightened.
The best way for the nurse to initiate a therapeutic relationship is to:
a. Give Mrs. Nguyen a hug and pray with her
b. Ask Mrs. Nguyen how she is feeling
c. Tell Mrs. Nguyen that the outcome of the surgery should be favorable
d. Tell Mrs. Nguyen the nurse will call the hospital chaplain
18. A Vietnamese resident in a nursing home does not want to follow the nursing care plan
regarding diet. The best course of action for the nursing staff would be:
a. Insist the resident accept the diet as ordered
b. Document the stubbornness of this resident
c. Avoid making an issue of his noncompliance
d. Consider the possibility of cultural differences