In the mid-20th century, racial segregation was prevalent in many sectors of American society, including the military. Nancy Leftenant-Colon, born in 1920 in South Carolina, aspired to serve her country as a nurse. Despite facing racial discrimination, she persevered and obtained her nursing education from the Lincoln School for Nurses. In 1945, she joined the U.S. Army Reserve and, by 1948, became the first Black nurse to be admitted to the regular U.S. Army Nurse Corps. Throughout her career, Lieutenant-Colonel faced significant racial hostility but remained dedicated to her profession, serving in various capacities, including during the Korean War. Her resilience and commitment paved the way for future generations of nurses, breaking racial barriers in military nursing. She passed away on January 8, 2025, at the age of 104.
Question: Cultural Competence & Ethical Nursing Practice
A nurse works in a large metropolitan hospital that serves a diverse patient population. While caring for a patient from a different cultural background, the nurse notices that some healthcare staff dismiss the patient’s pain complaints, assuming they have a “higher pain tolerance” due to their ethnicity.
What is the best response by the nurse?
A) Document the patient’s pain complaints but take no further action unless the patient insists on pain management.
B) Discuss the observations with the charge nurse and advocate for an assessment using an evidence-based pain scale.
C) Explain to the patient that some cultures perceive pain differently and reassure them that they will still receive appropriate care.
D) Encourage the patient to be more assertive in expressing their pain levels so that the staff will take it seriously.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Advocacy is a key nursing responsibility. The best response is to report the observation and advocate for objective pain assessment using an evidence-based pain scale (e.g., Numeric Rating Scale or FLACC). Cultural biases in pain management can lead to undertreatment, making it crucial for nurses to intervene.
- Option A neglects the nurse’s duty to advocate for the patient and ensure proper pain management.
- Option C generalizes cultural pain perceptions without addressing the core issue of bias in care.
- Option D shifts responsibility onto the patient instead of correcting the biased clinical approach.
Casey, M. (2025, January 22). Nancy Leftenant-Colon, who was the first Black woman in Army Nurse Corps, has died. AP News. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/0a2dc2fd78d09d3433e73ca026977818