Question

The family of a patient who has just died asks to be alone with the body and asks for supplies to wash the body. The nurse providing care knows that the mortician usually washes the body. Which response would be most appropriate?

a. Inform the family that there is no need for them to wash the body since the mortician typically does this.
b. Explain that hospital policy forbids their being alone with the deceased patient and that hospital supplies are to be used only by hospital personnel.
c. Give the supplies to the family but maintain a watchful eye to make sure that nothing unusual happens.
d. Provide the requested supplies, checking if this request is linked to their religious or cultural customs and asking if there is anything else you can do to help.

Answer 1

The most suitable response for the nurse is to provide the supplies and support the family's wishes, mindful of any cultural or religious significance. This approach respects and acknowledges the various practices surrounding death across different cultures and religions, emphasizing the importance of dignity in end-of-life care.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate response for a nurse when a family wishes to wash the body of their deceased loved one would be d. Provide the requested supplies, checking if this request is linked to their religious or cultural customs and asking if there is anything else you can do to help. Respecting the mourning family's wishes aligns with hospice care philosophies, which emphasize dignity and cultural sensitivity in the care of the terminally ill and recently deceased. It acknowledges that different cultures, societies, and religions have varying practices surrounding death, and it is part of a nurse's responsibility to accommodate for these practices when possible. This approach not only offers comfort to the bereaved but also respects the deceased individual’s background and the family’s need for a personal farewell.

Understanding and accommodating cultural and religious customs in medical and postmortem care can be an essential aspect of providing compassionate and respectful services. The health care system's role extends beyond medical treatment, and includes support for end-of-life customs that vary greatly across different cultures and religious beliefs. By doing so, healthcare providers can help ensure that each person's final journey is treated with dignity and that surviving family members feel their traditions and beliefs are honored.