Assessing the patient from a cultural perspective

If effective and efficient care is to be provided, the licensed practical/vocational nurse must be aware of differing cultural health practices and beliefs among people. Nurses should identify sources of discrepancy between the client's health beliefs and practices and health providers' perceptions of health. However, nurses must also recognize that while there are differences between cultural groups, many differences also exist between people of the same culture. Thus, an individualized assessment must be conducted if culturally appropriate care is to be planned and delivered.